bungle
20 synonyms for bungle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To perform a task badly through carelessness or lack of skill; to botch.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To perform a task badly through carelessness or lack of skill; to botch.
“The contractors bungled the renovation and left the roof leaking.”
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly imitative in origin, like the related bumble and fumble, or from an Old Norse root meaning "to strike."
Full origin of bungle →Frequently asked questions
What does “bungle” mean?
The word “bungle” means to perform a task badly through carelessness or lack of skill; to botch. In plain terms, to mess something up through incompetence, or the resulting mess itself.
How do you pronounce “bungle”?
“Bungle” is pronounced BUHNGGL (/ˈbʌŋɡ(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “bungle” in a sentence?
Here is “bungle” used in a sentence: “The contractors bungled the renovation and left the roof leaking.”
What part of speech is “bungle”?
Depending on how it is used, “bungle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “bungle” come from?
The word “bungle” comes from Old Norse. Origin uncertain — possibly imitative in origin, like the related bumble and fumble, or from an Old Norse root meaning "to strike.".
How many meanings does “bungle” have?
“Bungle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to perform a task badly through carelessness or lack of skill; to botch.
