stumbled; stumbling
ˈstəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to fall into sin or waywardness
b
: to make an error : blunder
c
: to come to an obstacle to belief
2
: to trip in walking or running
3
a
: to walk unsteadily or clumsily
b
: to speak or act in a hesitant or faltering manner
4
a
: to come unexpectedly or by chance
stumble onto the truth
b
: to fall or move carelessly
Examples of stumble in a Sentence
Verb
I stumbled on the uneven pavement.
The horse stumbled and almost fell.
He stumbled drunkenly across the room.
He stumbled over to the table.
I heard him stumble over the unfamiliar words.
She stumbled through an apology.
The economy has stumbled in recent months.
Noun
was his hurtful remark a regrettable stumble, or was it made with artful intention?
has bones so brittle that a minor stumble could result in a serious break
Recent Examples on the Web
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 July 2025
After a dramatic event, like an underwater landslide, covered her in sediment, her body remained hidden until 16 years ago, when scientists stumbled upon the nearly pristine fossil of the animal—a dolphin-like marine predator—and unearthed it for further research.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
With 89 cents earnings per share (non-GAAP) expected in 2026 for a crazy rich forward valuation of 130 times, this company can't afford any stumbles.
—Todd Gordon, CNBC, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumble
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Hegseth, a former Fox TV host who has stumbled through several controversies during his six months in office, sat silently next to Trump without volunteering any information about the decision that apparently came on his watch.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 July 2025
After a dramatic event, like an underwater landslide, covered her in sediment, her body remained hidden until 16 years ago, when scientists stumbled upon the nearly pristine fossil of the animal—a dolphin-like marine predator—and unearthed it for further research.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025
Noun
Yet, what stood out wasn't just the stumble but his grace in facing it, right after.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
With 89 cents earnings per share (non-GAAP) expected in 2026 for a crazy rich forward valuation of 130 times, this company can't afford any stumbles.
—Todd Gordon, CNBC, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Cite this Entry
“Stumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stumble. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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