foul-up 1 of 2

noun

ˈfau̇(-ə)l-ˌəp How to pronounce foul-up (audio)
Definition of foul-upnext
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

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foul up

2 of 2

verb

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
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
  1. mistake
  2. fumble
  3. trip
  4. mix-up
  5. blow
  6. stumble
  7. confusion
  8. screw up
Noun
  • There is a huge difference between preparing with the obsession of not making mistakes and preparing with the desire to effectively convey a message.
    — Chiara Alzati, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Before formally apologizing to her, Phillips tells Danny about how the stringent demands of Dr. Broussard, who visited Maguire in Episode 4, led him to nick a vessel during an outpatient procedure on a 20-year-old man named Julio, and Phillips’ parents then covered up his fatal mistake.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of mistake
Verb
  • These are both great, morally complex characters with compelling stories and the trailer certainly looks terrific: However much Disney has fumbled the Star Wars IP over the last decade, the animated stuff has mostly been quite good.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The characters in Megan Howell’s short stories, which glide into scenes of magical realism, are lonely people facing the harsh realities of an often violent world and fumbling toward something more hopeful.
    — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of fumble
Verb
  • Jennifer Coolidge, who originated the role of heiress Tanya McQuoid in Season 1, returned for Season 2, only to die by tripping and hitting her head on a boat and drowning.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Standout episodes see the besties trip out with Anderson .Paak at Afropunk and shine a light on trans joy with Peppermint.
    — EW Staff Published, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of trip
Noun
  • And What Changed? Frito-Lay issued a voluntary recall after discovering a packaging mix-up: fewer than 1,300 bags labeled as Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips may actually contain nacho cheese tortilla chips, which include milk.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The day's mishaps didn't end with the medication mix-up, either.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of mix-up
Verb
  • What used to build brands now risks blowing them up.
    — Remy Blumenfeld, HollywoodReporter, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Miles Caton blew me away and Michael B. jordan is incredible.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Forty-two years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Steves stumbled upon his diary, rereading passages about his formative trip.
    — Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article The morning after his fifth suicide attempt, Rick Fisher stumbled to a church and pounded on the doors.
    — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of stumble
Noun
  • In other words, bills still need to be paid no matter the confusion of politicians eager to distort the pricing mechanism that organizes the market economy.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The infected person may experience anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations, per the health agency.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of confusion
Verb
  • Instead, this was the message sent: Booth screwed up by signing Dario Saric and gave up too many picks to shed Reggie Jackson’s contract.
    — Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The Gordons have been left deeply screwed up by their deceased father — not just callous and clueless like all the ultra-rich, but unable to maintain healthy relationships with either partners or one another.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of screw up

Browse Nearby Words

foul up
foul-up
foul-ups
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Cite this Entry

“Foul-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul-up. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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