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
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2025
Playing their third road game in five days, the expansion team nearly fumbled a 17-point, first-half lead but got enough stops down the stretch to escape with a 68-67 win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025
The Patriots’ defense came away with four interceptions and a fumble recovery.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Jaylen Wright fumbled on a hit from safety John Saunders Jr....
Grayson Murphy sacked Wilson, who nevertheless threw the ball to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a 30 yard TD pass...
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2025
Playing their third road game in five days, the expansion team nearly fumbled a 17-point, first-half lead but got enough stops down the stretch to escape with a 68-67 win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
It was ruled an incomplete pass rather than fumble...
Malik Washington had a 15-yard run.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025
The Patriots’ defense came away with four interceptions and a fumble recovery.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share