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
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Ewers completed 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards, took two sacks and fumbled twice while leading two drives.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
He was sacked twice and lost a fumble.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
And to continue the trend for Charlotte’s running backs, Cameren Smith fumbled in plus territory and was recovered for a 72-yard scoop and score by the Owls.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Ewers completed 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards, took two sacks and fumbled twice while leading two drives.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
Huff had a strong all-around game, but his massive sack, strip-fumble of Penix in the final two minutes of the first half was the exclamation point.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
He was sacked twice and lost a fumble.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 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 21 Oct. 2025.
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