as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
I swear, she mucks up everything she tries
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Recent Examples of muck up
Of all the crew members, Mouse is the most philosophical, speaking early about how the machines have mucked up the taste of his favorite cereal.
—
Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 6 Mar. 2025
Are other people mucking up your flow?
—USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025
As might be expected, however, given that the legislation was promoted by champions of the regulatory state, both initiatives were mucked up with government mandates intended to sate favored special interests rather than to efficiently accomplish the task at hand.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 19 Jan. 2025
Duke Be less chaotic The Blue Devils are masters at mucking up a game, whether that’s by pressing, forcing turnovers or drawing (and committing) fouls.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for muck up
Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 6 Mar. 2025
Are other people mucking up your flow?
—USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025
As might be expected, however, given that the legislation was promoted by champions of the regulatory state, both initiatives were mucked up with government mandates intended to sate favored special interests rather than to efficiently accomplish the task at hand.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 19 Jan. 2025
Duke Be less chaotic The Blue Devils are masters at mucking up a game, whether that’s by pressing, forcing turnovers or drawing (and committing) fouls.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for muck up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muck up
Verb
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Foster Carling House While Remick may be fumbling his Hollywood comeback, his home is pure architectural triumph.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2025
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The player on the trophy is depicted fumbling the ball.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Those cops do more than blow whistles and bark signals.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
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In addition, strong winds over desert areas could result in briefly lowered visibilities to well under a mile at times in blowing dust or blowing sand.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
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As far as Luca knows, however, he’s somehow screwed up and killed his informant.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
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So someone — either the hotel or Hotels.com — really screwed up here.—
Christopher Elliot,
Mercury News,
7 May 2025
Verb
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But Paige has been there, injuries fouling up her career, too.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2025
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This brings back the Bilas comment from long ago on fouling up two.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Sonos is very, very sorry for ruining your speaker system.—
Boone Ashworth,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Fortnite was booted from iPhones and Apple’s App Store in 2020, after Epic Games updated its software to link out to the company’s website and avoid Apple’s commissions.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
9 May 2025
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Using secure boot to stop malicious software from launching during startup. TPM can detect changes and prevent your system from booting, keeping your device secure from physical attacks.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muck up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muck%20up. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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