as in shambles
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cock-up
Noun
-
Of course this was a calculated power play, not a bureaucratic botch.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026 -
During last week's WWE SmackDown, a series of mistakes and botches drew harsh criticism from fans.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When Angie spills the smoothie accidentally, PAT’s floor absorbers are activated, and the mess literally disappears into the floorboards.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
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Now, to be fair, this season has been a mess from a health standpoint.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To hear the critics’ version of events, an unprovoked and unnecessary attack on Iran, launched at Israel’s behest, is already a foreign-policy fiasco that has put the global economy at risk without any clear objective or endgame.—
Bret Stephens,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Now, because of his imprudent and inaccurate sloganeering, even with a majority of his appointees sitting on the board, the mayor faces the prospect of a legal and political fiasco that implicates the honesty of his most prominent promise to his constituents.—
Christian Browne,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Spurs’ playing squad is a muddle, the legacy of a generation’s worth of short-termism and too many coaching changes to mention.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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There are too many out of stocks, too little inspiration in ranges, too much muddle and mess in stores.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Hefty extra wattage is apparently needed to keep the Mar-a-Lago lights on in the event of an unforeseen disaster such as a war, or flying sports court glass, or a late ketchup delivery.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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Only instead of the flood of a players’ strike, this time the disaster will come cloaked in the fire of an owners’ lockout.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Woodstock gave its name to a generation, but the concert itself was a debacle that nearly bankrupted its promoters.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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The donation debacle comes amid the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has left more than 64,000 airport security workers working without pay.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cock-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cock-up. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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