bungle

[buhng-guhl]

verb (used with object)

bungled, bungling 

1. to do clumsily and awkwardly; botch.

   He bungled the job.

   Synonyms: ruin, spoil, muddle, mismanage

verb (used without object)

bungled, bungling 

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

Other Word Forms

• bungling adjective
• bungler noun
• bunglingly adverb
• unbungling 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

Aimee Betro failed at her mission to assassinate her long-distance lover's rival - but in the days after her bungled attack, she still believed she could cover her tracks and evade police.

From BBC

"I want the UK government to stop messing things up," he said, referring to what he called its "bungled" announcement regarding possible recognition of a Palestinian state.

From BBC

Now, FEMA’s absent acting director manages to make Michael Brown, the agency’s former head who bungled its response to Katrina, look competent by comparison.

From Salon

The latter started the rot for West Indies when he bungled an attempted lap scoop against Hazlewood and left Carey with a simple catch.

From BBC

The Lions completed a historic comeback, with a little help from a bungling David Campese.

From BBC

Related Words

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