1
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
everything is riding on this project, so we can't afford to louse up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
I loused up the wallpapering job in the bedroom—the seams show too much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of louse up
Maybe one party simply wants out for no apparent reason Anything can louse up the deal.
—
Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Which is to say that America’s most prominent vaccine skeptic could have the power to upend, derail, or otherwise louse up a cornerstone of public health.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Conversely, one of the easiest ways to louse up a team on draft day is to load up a team with players who aren’t going to produce at a level commensurate with when they were drafted.
—Gary Davenport, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024
Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Which is to say that America’s most prominent vaccine skeptic could have the power to upend, derail, or otherwise louse up a cornerstone of public health.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Conversely, one of the easiest ways to louse up a team on draft day is to load up a team with players who aren’t going to produce at a level commensurate with when they were drafted.
—Gary Davenport, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for louse up
Verb
-
Avila was crushed inside the Volkswagen, while Guevara allegedly stumbled to the Honda Accord, got inside, and drove off, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
-
When asked who played at Arrowhead Stadium, Comenencia stumbled for the name.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
After South Korea’s goalkeeper fumbled a ball, Luis Romo scored the goal that gave the Mexicans six points and pushed them to the top of the standings.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
OnlyFans fumbled a previous version of this dilemma.—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Unfortunately, that last part seems to trip some people up.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Germany was awarded the penalty shot after Felix Nmecha was tripped in the box by Riechedly Bazoer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Corlys and Lohar find each other in the scrum and both land powerful blows before Corlys is thrown into the sea, leaving Alyn of Hull to finish off his father’s enemy.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
-
Messi somehow blew a penalty kick in the eighth minute, when teammate Lautaro Martinez was brought down by Austrian defender Stefan Posch.—
Filip Bondy,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Detroit did slip up in Game 5 at Little Caesars Arena, although Detroit blew a 60-52 halftime lead in that contest.—
Juan Carlos Blanco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
What makes all this so engaging is the knowledge that eventually, one side or the other will slip up and people will get hurt, and the confidence that Nemesis’s inner world is so vibrant that the fallout will just be as compelling as the lead-up.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
But four years ago, Sorsby screwed up in a massive way.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
The two screwed up a top-rope stunner as Excalibur struggled to explain what happened like a 2026 Jim Ross.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
In the end, though, neither an explosion nor a giant spill of fluid that could foul up waterways and the ocean occurred.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
An incorrect connection or approach can foul up a line, damage a plane or cause an accident.—
Tara Copp The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Don't Worry Too Much About Saltwater Or Chlorine Many people assume a quick swim in the ocean or pool will ruin their sunglasses.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
-
Could the Boston Celtics or another team ruin the Heat’s plan, swooping in and trading for Antetokounmpo this offseason and getting a long-term commitment from him?—
Anthony Chiang
June 19,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Louse up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/louse%20up. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
