as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to blow
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
her assistant fumbled the party plans by getting the time wrong on the invitations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grope
to search for something blindly or uncertainly
the librarian fumbled for the light switch as she entered the dark room
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
just when it looked like he was going to get away with the ruse, he fumbled
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 fumble
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Barry Pearl's fumble became a memorable insult for fans of the 1978 movie musical.
—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Maye tossed eight interceptions and fumbled eight times last season.
—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
In 2022, Meiga had four tackles and forced fumble for the Nittany Lions.
—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Barry Pearl's fumble became a memorable insult for fans of the 1978 movie musical.
—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Verb
The Spurs had one more chance, but Stephon Castle fumbled the inbounds pass and pandemonium at Madison Square Garden followed.
—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Maye tossed eight interceptions and fumbled eight times last season.
—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
-
If circumstances had gone Spain’s way with more clinical finishing or a Cape Verde defender making a mistake, then the result would have been different and a lot of the chatter currently happening (including here) would likely not be happening.
-
In fact, according to Rakestraw, one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming the babies have been abandoned and removing them immediately.
Verb
-
The Philadelphia Phillies went into the top of the ninth inning down 8-6 to the Washington Nationals after Orion Kerkering gave up a three-run home run to blow the lead late in the game.
-
While sitting on your porch or deck, a blast of air from a fan can help blow weak-flying mosquitoes away.
Verb
-
In each incident, women were standing alone when the attacker grabbed them from behind and groped them, police said.
-
Men gathered at village auctions to grope and prod Black people; the shapes of their muscles and strength of their teeth determined their value, babies included.
Verb
-
Avila was crushed inside the Volkswagen, while Guevara allegedly stumbled to the Honda Accord, got inside, and drove off, according to court records.
-
When asked who played at Arrowhead Stadium, Comenencia stumbled for the name.
Noun
-
Colorado's rally offset a pair of baserunning blunders that ended the eighth.
-
One Republican senator calling this the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.
Verb
-
No Toy Story 5 isn’t taking long to boot Steven Spielberg’s alien thriller Disclosure Day out of the top spot at the domestic box office.
-
But Edson Álvarez jumped high to boot it away from the goal line with an overhead kick, landing on his back in the process.
Verb
-
Despite its nickname, June's moon won't look red like a strawberry, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
-
Years of uncertainty followed, as Britain and the European Union wrangled over what their future trading relationship would look like.
Verb
-
Instead of perfection, Rainey strove to disarm her audience, at times intentionally tripping or starting off with a joke to humanize herself and lighten the mood, McNulty said.
-
Early on in the clip, Jake Johnson’s former tennis star Dusty Boyd trips over the net and injures his wrist in a bad way.
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
