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
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Drake Maye's bounce back play Quarterback Drake Maye did not have his best game, throwing one interception and fumbling twice.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 13 Jan. 2026
The Chargers’ final five possessions ended with three punts, a fumble and a turnover on downs.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
Purdy had a chance to get out of bounds with a second on the clock but fumbled beforehand, causing the clock to run out.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Drake Maye's bounce back play Quarterback Drake Maye did not have his best game, throwing one interception and fumbling twice.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
Moore went 24 of 39 for 285 yards with an interception and two fumbles against the Hoosiers.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Jan. 2026
The Chargers’ final five possessions ended with three punts, a fumble and a turnover on downs.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 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 14 Jan. 2026.
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