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 ground ball
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 ground ball
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
Sal Rodriguez, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Ethan Bonner forced Dulcich to fumble, and rookie linebacker Trey Moore recovered it for the defense.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026
Last season was a struggle for the Ravens, and at times for Henry, whose three lost fumbles contributed to losses and the team’s 1-5 start.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
Given how badly Karen Bass has fumbled as mayor, Raman couldn’t do much worse.
—Sal Rodriguez, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Ethan Bonner forced Dulcich to fumble, and rookie linebacker Trey Moore recovered it for the defense.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Noun
But several shifts in this year’s edition point to a fair still refining its identity as Paris consolidates its position as Europe’s dominant art market hub after London’s Brexit fumble.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026
Last season was a struggle for the Ravens, and at times for Henry, whose three lost fumbles contributed to losses and the team’s 1-5 start.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fumble. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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