botched 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbächt How to pronounce botched (audio)
Definition of botchednext
as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation) a botched attempt to mend relations with our disaffected European allies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

botched

2 of 2

verb

past tense of botch
as in fumbled
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

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 botched
Adjective
My organization, Reprieve, studied botched lethal injections that were carried out from 1977 to 2023. — Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The hearing is underway as attorneys for Christa Pike, the Tennessee inmate who survived an execution attempt, ask the court to preserve evidence related to her botched execution. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
The low point came during Super Bowl LVIII, when Romo botched the call of Patrick Mahomes' game-winning touchdown pass in overtime, a moment many viewed as symbolic of his decline in the booth. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Some contractor, or postal maintenance employee, had botched the repair. — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
  1. clumsy
  2. fumbled
  3. awkward
  4. bungled
  5. blew
  6. ruined
Adjective
  • One of the clumsiest parts of Klosterman’s book is his attempts at political punditry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Feed your head Neagley gets off to a sluggish start, with a workmanlike, rather clumsy first episode largely spent establishing the main characters and central plot—and the writers lean a bit too hard on constant Chicago callbacks.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Verb
  • However, Cam Skattebo fumbled to give Washington an opportunity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • With Oregon outside linebacker Nasir Wyatt blitzing, Iamaleava attempted to throw the ball away to the flat and instead fumbled, giving the Ducks the ball on the Bruins’ one-yard-line.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of fumbled
Adjective
  • The happy reunion is actually a bit awkward and tense at first.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Grappling with how the world has molded you, and how that manifests in life, in love, and in your day job, can be an awkward process.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of awkward
Verb
  • Though usually a very smooth operator, Latif has bungled the latest job for his handler Mike (Laith Nakli).
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Citing a Pulitzer-winning New York Times investigation, the Republican argued Becerra bungled the handling of the influx of child migrants that lead thousands to be trafficked into dangerous jobs.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of bungled
Verb
  • But the administration blew past a Sunday evening deadline and ran two of the ads into the early hours of Monday, advertising data from AdImpact shows.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Commanders scored a touchdown two minutes into the game and never trailed, yet still blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of blew
Verb
  • On Monday, workers hauled out a 200-pound piece of equipment that was ruined by the saltwater and sand carried in on the high tides.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The idea for her top was loosely based on an old vintage shirt that Satenstein accidentally threw into the dryer and ruined.
    — Irene Kim, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of ruined

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Cite this Entry

“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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