Bungle: meaning, definitions and examples

Repeated for overlap. See prior 'bungle' definition.

When doing a job poorly and carelessly, resulting in a failed or unsatisfactory outcome. Often used when referring to repairs or tasks.

• They botched the home renovation, leaving the kitchen unusable

A casual and informal way to describe making mistakes or handling things incorrectly, suitable for both minor and significant errors.

• I really messed up my presentation by forgetting key points

When making a serious and embarrassing mistake often due to carelessness or ignorance. Usually used for mistakes with bigger consequences.

• He made a blunder by sending a personal email to the entire company

Specific to situations where poor management or handling leads to problems. Often used in professional or serious contexts.

• The company mishandled the crisis, worsening their public image

Used when someone handles something clumsily or incompetently. Often implies that things were done in a very poor manner due to lack of skill.

• The company bungled the new product launch
• He bungled the simple task of organizing the files

A more neutral term for any kind of mistake or problem, often used in technical or formal settings. It denotes a deviation from accuracy or correctness and doesn't necessarily imply incompetence.

• There was an error in the calculations
• The system encountered an unexpected error

References a serious and often stupid mistake, typically one that involves some careless oversight or misunderstanding. The word often suggests that the mistake was significant and easily avoidable.

• Her blunder cost the team an important client
• He made a huge blunder by revealing the surprise party plans

A general term for any incorrect action or decision. It can refer to both small and large errors and doesn't necessarily carry a strong judgment of the person's ability.

• I made a mistake in the recipe
• Forgetting her birthday was a big mistake

Describes a complete and often embarrassing failure, usually of a planned venture or event. It carries a strong negative connotation, suggesting that things went wrong in a dramatic fashion.

• The event turned into a fiasco when the caterer didn't show up
• His attempt to fix the plumbing ended in a fiasco, flooding the entire basement