stumbled; stumbling
ˈstəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to fall into sin or waywardness
b
: to make an error : blunder
c
: to come to an obstacle to belief
2
: to trip in walking or running
3
a
: to walk unsteadily or clumsily
b
: to speak or act in a hesitant or faltering manner
4
a
: to come unexpectedly or by chance
stumble onto the truth
b
: to fall or move carelessly
Examples of stumble in a Sentence
Verb
I stumbled on the uneven pavement.
The horse stumbled and almost fell.
He stumbled drunkenly across the room.
He stumbled over to the table.
I heard him stumble over the unfamiliar words.
She stumbled through an apology.
The economy has stumbled in recent months.
Noun
was his hurtful remark a regrettable stumble, or was it made with artful intention?
has bones so brittle that a minor stumble could result in a serious break
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Listening can feel like stumbling through a landscape that is both brutal and stunning, comprising raga drone and haunted violin screeches as well as beautifully woozy stoner rock and idyllic birdsong, all colliding into unexpected forms.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Despite early stumbles in the AI race, Google recently seems to have found its footing.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumble
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
That was until about a month before Adams' wedding, when her mother, April, stumbled upon the outfit while cleaning out some boxes in storage.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Listening can feel like stumbling through a landscape that is both brutal and stunning, comprising raga drone and haunted violin screeches as well as beautifully woozy stoner rock and idyllic birdsong, all colliding into unexpected forms.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
Feiring blames these stumbles on sudden demand starting in 2015 or so, when natural wines were in short supply and new producers often lacked skill and released their wines too quickly.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Despite early stumbles in the AI race, Google recently seems to have found its footing.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Cite this Entry
“Stumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stumble. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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