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
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Then Robinson fumbled and Tyrel Dodson recovered deep in Dolphins’ territory.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The loss featured sacks and fumbles and an interception and missed kicks and injuries — and that’s without mentioning the defense, who arguably had the roughest day overall.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
But that same quarter, Kansas fumbled on a punt that K-State turned into a touchdown.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Then Robinson fumbled and Tyrel Dodson recovered deep in Dolphins’ territory.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
The Panthers also had three fumbles throughout the game, only recovering one.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The loss featured sacks and fumbles and an interception and missed kicks and injuries — and that’s without mentioning the defense, who arguably had the roughest day overall.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 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 30 Oct. 2025.
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