as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
the first time we tried to make a cake, we botched the job completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in jumble
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
this police procedural is basically a botch of plot elements stolen from other (and better) novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of botch
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Or rather, none of it happens without the Rockies botching the Arenado thing so badly that CEO Dick Monfort and the family felt obligated to take this massive swing to try and replace him.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
Those communication botches, whether on the break or in the half court, often include Towns, who once again vanished as a scorer.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for botch
Verb
Josh Adams botched a try chance throwing a forward pass to Botham but Botham scored off a ruck and Dan Edwards converted for 19-17.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Or rather, none of it happens without the Rockies botching the Arenado thing so badly that CEO Dick Monfort and the family felt obligated to take this massive swing to try and replace him.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
The 10-member panel’s first time out, in 2022, was a total botch, as the process was unconstitutionally hijacked by Democrats in the Legislature until it was stopped by the state’s highest court.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
Those communication botches, whether on the break or in the half court, often include Towns, who once again vanished as a scorer.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for botch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botch
Verb
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The lawyer suggested the doctors at the Meadows fumbled Spacey’s treatment because their program was geared toward addiction.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
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The Warriors had a chance to send the game to overtime on the final possession of regulation, but Post, who hit four 3s on the night, fumbled the catch and turned the ball over, leaving the Knicks with the ball as the shot clock expired.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
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Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Plan on a brisk Friday afternoon and evening as much colder air blows into Maryland.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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When the wind blows, toxic dust blankets Salt Lake City and other towns along the Wasatch Front, one of the fastest-growing regions in one of the fastest-growing states in the country.—
Shawn Regan,
Washington Post,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Manteca is launching a pilot program that is aimed at helping entrepreneurs, supporting local small businesses and showcasing the variety of food the city has to offer.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Festival exclusive events include Night of Too Many Stars — a stand-up, variety, and music telethon to benefit NEXT for Autism — hosted by Jon Stewart, a taping of Nate Bargatze’s upcoming Netflix comedy special, and a Shane Gillis and Friends event at the Hollywood Bowl.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Isak’s actions were disrespectfully militant, but Newcastle damagingly bungled the situation.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
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And Kash Patel's FBI seems to be bungling the investigation at every step.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Devil-Dog also offers an assortment of women’s logo graphic tees for $34 each.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Natural History Museum’s Butterfly Pavilion is back, with up to 30 butterfly and moth species, as well as an assortment of California plants.—
Staff Photographer,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now, months later, residents say the gunfire has shattered their peace, ruining quiet strolls and sunsets on the neighborhood’s lakes.—
Christopher Spata,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
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Everything looked incredible… until the teams started playing and ruined it a bit.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The lights went down, and a medley of ABBA songs came streaming through the speakers.—
Melanie Asmar,
Denver Post,
20 Mar. 2026
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North Allegheny's high school swim team set a new PIAA record Wednesday for the 200-yard relay medley at the 2026 PIAA 3A State Championships at Bucknell University.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botch. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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