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

Regarding the Rams’ bungling offense and porous defense, I’m reminded of advice given to me as a child.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

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