bungle

[ buhng-guhl ]

verb (used with object)

, bun·gled, bun·gling.

1. to do clumsily and awkwardly; botch:

   He bungled the job.

   Synonyms: ruin, spoil, muddle, mismanage

verb (used without object)

, bun·gled, bun·gling.

1. to perform or work clumsily or inadequately:

   He is a fool who bungles consistently.

noun

1. a bungling performance.
2. that which has been done clumsily or inadequately.

bungle

/ ˈbʌŋɡəl /

verb

1. tr to spoil (an operation) through clumsiness, incompetence, etc; botch

noun

1. a clumsy or unsuccessful performance or piece of work; mistake; botch

Derived Forms

• ˈbungling, adjectivenoun
• ˈbungler, noun

Other Words From

• bungler noun
• bungling·ly adverb
• un·bungling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bungle¹

First recorded in 1520–30; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of bungle¹

C16: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare dialect Swedish bangla to work without results

Example Sentences

Among other things, Trump has spread the false claim about a $750 limit and that there was widespread bungling of the relief response.

From Salon

Zero-emission vehicles are key to that goal, but the state is already struggling with a bungled rollout of public charging stations.

From Los Angeles Times

“But women’s pictures also have to express a stark reality that unfortunately gets muddled here, in a bungled adaptation that is at once too close and too far from its source.”

From Los Angeles Times

But women’s pictures also have to express a stark reality that unfortunately gets muddled here, in a bungled adaptation that is at once too close and too far from its source.

From Los Angeles Times

As the governor kicks off his campaign as Kamala Harris's running mate, his critics have accused him of bungling the response to the violence by being slow to deploy the National Guard.

From BBC

Related Words

• botch
• err
• flub
• fudge
• gum up
• miscalculate
• mishandle
• mismanage
• muff
• screw up