as in mistake
an instance of confusion
there was a foul-up with our mail order, and not one item arrived as ordered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
tried not to foul up the football play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to trip
to make a mistake
unfortunately, I fouled up and in my e-mail gave everyone the wrong date for the meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foul-up
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Many have faulted Cuba’s Stalinist bureaucratic centralization, but few critiques are as replete with concrete examples of foolishness and foul-ups.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025
For just one of 67 counties to use the wrong one could foul up an entire statewide count.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Noun
That foul-up then gets included in the series of questions and answers, causing the final answer to go askew.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Many have faulted Cuba’s Stalinist bureaucratic centralization, but few critiques are as replete with concrete examples of foolishness and foul-ups.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Verb
In between those foul shots, the Jayhawks intentionally fouled up three.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025
For just one of 67 counties to use the wrong one could foul up an entire statewide count.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul-up
Noun
-
Choosing smoothies low in protein and fiber, adding sugary ingredients to your smoothie, and using low-calorie smoothies as meal replacements are just some of the smoothie mistakes that could be sabotaging your weight loss efforts.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
3 June 2025
-
After his first-inning throwing error, Pages made a mistake on the bases in the second.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
Massey ranged to his left, lost his footing and fumbled the ball.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
20 May 2025
-
Gutierrez found the jury was confused by antitrust law elements and fumbled a calculation for damages by mistaking an overcharge with a discount.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
There’s never been any danger that Christopher McQuarrie would trip, fall, and accidentally make Barry Lyndon.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2025
-
Piper Niven tripped Vega while Green was distracting the referee before Raw went to break.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Those citations were later dropped once officials realized there was a mix-up, Dalton Assistant Police Chief Chris Crossen said.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
28 May 2025
-
Those citations were dropped on Monday once officials realized there was a mix-up, Dalton Assistant Police Chief Chris Crossen said.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Julia snuck some matchstick carrots into the potato mixture, then blew my socks off with a punchy, springy topping of feta, mint, dill, and chives.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
23 May 2025
-
That’s just the beginning, though—keep scrolling for more deals sure to blow you away (no pun intended).—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
And then there are those, like Mia, who stumble on their birth families inadvertently.—
Barbara Demick,
New Yorker,
23 May 2025
-
No one stumbled into creating a billion dollar company, gingerly broke a world record, or cautiously planned and lived their peak life.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Plus, the bars are shaped like an ‘S’ and a ‘C’, so there’s no confusion as to which is which.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
-
According to him, people who engage in financial education come from a place of need, such as growing a family, facing credit denial, having confusion about financial systems, or starting over after immigration or other major life events.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
As the professional in the room, that face is often screwed up in frustration when the camera isn’t rolling.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
18 May 2025
-
But in laymen's terms, given the huge number of emergency appeals about Trump administration policies, this could really screw up justices' summer.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul-up. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share