Bungling: meaning, definitions and examples
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bungling
[ ˈbəŋɡ(ə)liŋ ]
incompetent
Showing or characterized by a lack of skill, clumsiness, or ineptitude.
Synonyms
awkward, clumsy, incompetent, inept.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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bungling |
Bungling is used when someone repeatedly makes mistakes due to lack of skill or care. This has a negative connotation and suggests that the person is failing at tasks they are expected to perform well.
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incompetent |
Incompetent is used to describe someone who lacks the skills or ability to perform a job or task effectively. It is a strong negative term and suggests a complete inability to fulfill one's duties.
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clumsy |
Clumsy is used to describe someone who often has accidents or moves in a way that lacks coordination. It is usually physical but can also apply to social situations.
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inept |
Inept is used to describe someone who is clumsy, incompetent, or makes blunders. It has a negative connotation and is often used to describe someone's lack of skill or talent in a particular area.
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awkward |
Awkward is used to describe someone or something that is uncomfortable, not graceful, or difficult to deal with. It can apply to physical movements, social situations, and more.
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Examples of usage
- He made a bungling attempt to fix the leaky faucet.
- The bungling intern caused more problems than he solved.
incompetence
The quality or state of being bungling; lack of skill or aptitude.
Synonyms
clumsiness, incompetence, ineptitude.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
bungling |
This word is often used to describe making mistakes in a way that is careless or shows a lack of skill. It can be used in casual or professional settings when someone has messed something up.
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ineptitude |
Similar to incompetence, this word emphasizes a lack of skill or ability but can also suggest a lack of aptitude or suitability for a particular task. It often carries a negative tone.
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clumsiness |
Use this word when referring to physical awkwardness or a tendency to drop things or make mistakes due to a lack of coordination. It is often used in a lighthearted manner.
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incompetence |
This is a stronger term that highlights a serious lack of ability or effectiveness, often used in professional contexts or serious discussions. It has a negative connotation.
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Examples of usage
- His bungling in the kitchen resulted in a burnt dinner.
- The project failed due to the team's collective bungling.
Translations
Translations of the word "bungling" in other languages:
🇵🇹 desajeitado
🇮🇳 अनाड़ीपन
🇩🇪 stümperhaft
🇮🇩 ceroboh
🇺🇦 незграбність
🇵🇱 nieudolność
🇯🇵 不器用 (bukiyou)
🇫🇷 maladroit
🇪🇸 torpeza
🇹🇷 beceriksiz
🇰🇷 서투른 (seotureun)
🇸🇦 غير كفء
🇨🇿 neobratnost
🇸🇰 nešikovnosť
🇨🇳 笨拙 (bènzhuō)
🇸🇮 nerodnost
🇮🇸 klaufaskapur
🇰🇿 шеберсіздік
🇬🇪 უვარგისობა
🇦🇿 bacarıqsızlıq
🇲🇽 torpeza
Etymology
The word 'bungling' originated from the verb 'bungle', which dates back to the mid 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Middle English word 'bongelen', meaning to confuse or mix up. Over time, 'bungling' has come to describe actions or individuals who demonstrate a lack of skill or competence in their endeavors.