bungle

Might she get in front of a news camera, or on a debate stage, and bungle so badly that an adversary features her in an ad?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

So, yes, let’s hold college presidents’ feet to the fire when they bungle on a major issue.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 17, 2023

When she did indeed bungle the lyrics a few minutes into the song, she burst out laughing and said, "What a fun time to just realize you're stupid."

From Salon ● Oct. 13, 2023

Do we have it in our power to choose comedy over catastrophe and thereby give ourselves another day to bungle along?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2023

“Seems simple, don’t it? But I’m sure you’ll find a way to bungle it. ”

From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo

Its title comes from a Delhi University slang: to "give it those ones" is to perform one's usual act - bungles included.

From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026

The committee said some prominent bungles included flagging Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Rep. John Lewis for airport scrutiny because their identities mistakenly triggered the watchlist.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 19, 2023

Charlotte and George marry, then George immediately bungles their budding marital bliss.

From Salon ● May 6, 2023

But if those were my worst bungles in 12 months, I’ll settle for them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 1, 2023

Finally Vaubois bungles, through not knowing the ground, and is put under the orders of Massena, while two of his half-brigades are severely censured by Napoleon in person for their cowardice.

From Napoleon's Letters to Josephine by Henry Foljambe Hall

And a giveaway for coveted World Cup tickets—designed to reward early adopters—was bungled, users say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

On the hard-news side, she bungled big moments like an interview with Vladimir Putin, who batted away her questions about 2016 election meddling with an exasperated performance of ignorance.

From Slate ● May 6, 2026

Her claims have triggered demonstrations, promises to tighten the law and criticism that Chancellor Friedrich Merz has bungled his response.

From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026

South Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol capped a remarkable fall from grace on Thursday when he was sentenced to life imprisonment over his bungled efforts to impose military rule.

From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 2026

One recent morning she had served him a bungled breakfast of sugared eggs and salted coffee, then blamed it all on “a silly dream”—but a dream the power of daylight had not dispersed.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

The biggest problem was Mr. Carney’s bungling of Havel’s work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

The Lions completed a historic comeback, with a little help from a bungling David Campese.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2025

Funneled into the framework of a prom slasher, the bungling of "Fear Street: Prom Queen" feels downright pernicious.

From Salon ● May 24, 2025

She also faced accusations of bungling the city’s finances, contributing to a dire budget shortfall this fiscal year that will almost certainly require sweeping cuts across government departments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2025

Ranofer, flushing hot as he coaxed the flame, could only fume at his own bungling.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw