fumbled; fumbling
ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly
b
: to make awkward attempts to do or find something
fumbled in his pocket for a coin
c
: to search by trial and error
d
: blunder
2
: to feel one's way or move awkwardly
3
a
: to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
b
: to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it
1
: to bring about by clumsy manipulation
2
a
: to feel or handle clumsily
b
: to deal with in a blundering way : bungle
3
: to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
4
a
: misplay
fumble a grounder
b
: to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running
Synonyms
Examples of fumble in a Sentence
Verb
She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.
They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.
He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.
He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.
Noun
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Recent Examples on the Web
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024
No separate parts or cumbersome cables to fumble with — just plug it directly into your device and go.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2024
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2024
In this, his interests overlapped with those of the Soviet supreme command, which wanted to avoid responsibility, and so the secret fumbles of Operation Anadyr were swept under the rug.
—Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for fumble 
Verb
Juno Temple was a delight as ‘Fargo’s’ resourceful heroine, and while ‘The Regime’ fumbled its political satire, Kate Winslet committed fully to her ridiculous and flamboyant character.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024
No separate parts or cumbersome cables to fumble with — just plug it directly into your device and go.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2024
Noun
Aho played three seasons at SMU and produced 43 tackles (7.5 for loss), five sacks and two forced fumbles.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2024
In this, his interests overlapped with those of the Soviet supreme command, which wanted to avoid responsibility, and so the secret fumbles of Operation Anadyr were swept under the rug.
—Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for fumble
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fumble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fumble
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fumble. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
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