Bungling: meaning, definitions and examples

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bungling

 

[ ˈbəŋɡ(ə)liŋ ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

incompetent

Showing or characterized by a lack of skill, clumsiness, or ineptitude.

Synonyms

awkward, clumsy, incompetent, inept.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
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.

  • His bungling at the office cost the company a major client.
  • The bungling thief dropped the loot on his way out.
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.

  • The manager was fired due to his incompetent leadership.
  • Her incompetent handling of the project led to many errors.
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.

  • He is so clumsy that he constantly drops things.
  • Her clumsy attempts to make conversation just made it more awkward.
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.

  • His inept handling of the situation only made things worse.
  • She felt inept at public speaking despite many attempts to improve.
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.

  • She felt awkward during her first day at the new school.
  • His awkward dance moves made everyone laugh.

Examples of usage

  • He made a bungling attempt to fix the leaky faucet.
  • The bungling intern caused more problems than he solved.
Context #2 | Noun

incompetence

The quality or state of being bungling; lack of skill or aptitude.

Synonyms

clumsiness, incompetence, ineptitude.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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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.

  • His bungling of the project led to many delays
  • The team's bungling cost them the match
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.

  • His ineptitude at handling complex problems made him unsuitable for the role
  • The government’s ineptitude in managing the crisis angered the citizens
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.

  • Her clumsiness is adorable; she always trips over her own feet
  • The clumsiness of the waiter caused him to spill soup on the customer
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.

  • The manager's incompetence was evident in the failing sales figures
  • Due to his incompetence, the company lost several key clients

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.

See also: bungle, bungler.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,315, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.