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
Simon Hill, Wired News, 18 June 2025
His team had just fumbled a win on the biggest stage, and his eyes wandered.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025
Arrington is a two-way player at Mount Miguel, catching 31 passes for 527 yards and five touchdowns last season while registering 26 tackles, intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble as a cornerback.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
While the pull chain is much easier than trying to fumble with a tiny button, the shade occasionally catches on it when closing.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 18 June 2025
His team had just fumbled a win on the biggest stage, and his eyes wandered.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Noun
One time as a junior, Turk tackled the running back and the quarterback and forced a fumble in the same play.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025
Arrington is a two-way player at Mount Miguel, catching 31 passes for 527 yards and five touchdowns last season while registering 26 tackles, intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble as a cornerback.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 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 1 Jul. 2025.
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