bungling

adjective

bun·​gling ˈbəŋ-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bungling (audio)
: clumsily awkward or inept
a bungling attempt at humor
… her complaints about bungling doctors and mean-spirited nurses …Michiko Kakutani
bunglingly adverb
a bunglingly inept investigation

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bungling was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near bungling

Cite this Entry

“Bungling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bungling. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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