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
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
George Ramsay, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones — Jones came up in the discussion about fumbling, but that will not stop him from being the leading backfield producer for the Vikings.
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Gardner-Johnson had signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Eagles in 2024 and put up solid numbers in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl-winning season: Six interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, 12 pass breakups, one forced fumble and 59 tackles.
—Tess Demeyer, New York Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır fumbled the ball on the edge of his area, allowing Villa forward Morgan Rogers to take possession and put the ball into the net.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones — Jones came up in the discussion about fumbling, but that will not stop him from being the leading backfield producer for the Vikings.
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Noun
Surtain also had four picks and a forced fumble, and completely turned around an early-season game against Las Vegas with a 100-yard pick-six.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Gardner-Johnson had signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Eagles in 2024 and put up solid numbers in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl-winning season: Six interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, 12 pass breakups, one forced fumble and 59 tackles.
—Tess Demeyer, New York Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fumble. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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