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
Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
Glenn released returner Xavier Gipson for much less after Week 1, after Gipson fumbled away a kickoff in a crucial moment.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
Aidan Hutchinson forced another fumble.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
After Tennessee took its first lead, 20-17, on Max Gilbert’s 50-yard field goal early in the third quarter, Arkansas drove 61 yards to the Volunteers’ 29 but lost possession when running back Braylen Russell fumbled and Arion Carter recovered.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
Glenn released returner Xavier Gipson for much less after Week 1, after Gipson fumbled away a kickoff in a crucial moment.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
Another fumble, this one collected by the Buccaneers, was overturned on replay review.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
Aidan Hutchinson forced another fumble.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 2025.
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