as in fumbles
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I've somehow buggered up the program again
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buggers (up)
Verb
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If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred.—
Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
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Sonny feels like a departure; unlike Bernthal’s mercenaries, Sonny fumbles with his gun, has a bleeding heart, and lays his vulnerabilities bare.— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But if all of America’s trading partners, or former trading partners, are heading into crisis, the crisis blows back.— David Frum, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2026
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Most notably, Turkey and Greece came to blows several times, usually over their still-unresolved territorial conflict over Cyprus in the Mediterranean.— Carla Martinez Machain, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Geillis, on her quest to install Bonnie Prince Charlie on the throne, murders her husband as a blood sacrifice and walks through the stones.— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
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In 1971, a jury in Los Angeles recommended the death penalty for Charles Manson and three female followers for the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders.— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Dominic Zvada boots a 31-yard field goal to give the Wolverines the lead.— Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But what really screws up Julia are the deliveries.— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
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Kyle tries to jump up the wall, lands awkwardly, and screws up his ankle.— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Buggers (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/buggers%20%28up%29. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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