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
Daniel Popper, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Start with his first drive, in which the freshman receiver fumbled the ball on his first catch — which also happened to be the play of his first game, ever — but subsequently hit a defender so hard his helmet launched 10 yards.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Jon MacHota, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Nobody on the defense has recorded an interception or recovered a fumble from the opposing team.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
Johnston fumbled in the second quarter at the Washington 23-yard line.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Start with his first drive, in which the freshman receiver fumbled the ball on his first catch — which also happened to be the play of his first game, ever — but subsequently hit a defender so hard his helmet launched 10 yards.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
With the Jets trailing 10-3 late in the first half and driving to tie the game, Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau forced a fumble.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Nobody on the defense has recorded an interception or recovered a fumble from the opposing team.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 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 7 Oct. 2025.
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