as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to blow
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
her assistant fumbled the party plans by getting the time wrong on the invitations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grope
to search for something blindly or uncertainly
the librarian fumbled for the light switch as she entered the dark room
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
just when it looked like he was going to get away with the ruse, he fumbled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fumble
Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Jack Schellenberg and Mateo Rivera each recovered a fumble, Noah Prince had a strip-sack fumble recovery and Lemuel Bass had an interception.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025
Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
Gutierrez found the jury was confused by antitrust law elements and fumbled a calculation for damages by mistaking an overcharge with a discount.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
Perhaps Ripple’s executives are visionaries, playing chess while the rest fumble with checkers.
—Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Jack Schellenberg and Mateo Rivera each recovered a fumble, Noah Prince had a strip-sack fumble recovery and Lemuel Bass had an interception.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025
Verb
Massey ranged to his left, lost his footing and fumbled the ball.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
Gutierrez found the jury was confused by antitrust law elements and fumbled a calculation for damages by mistaking an overcharge with a discount.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
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Choosing smoothies low in protein and fiber, adding sugary ingredients to your smoothie, and using low-calorie smoothies as meal replacements are just some of the smoothie mistakes that could be sabotaging your weight loss efforts.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
3 June 2025
-
Unai Simon had made a really bad mistake and Enrique was consoling him after the game.—
The Totally Football Show,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Failing to install the tax would blow an additional $80 million hole in Chicago’s 2026 budget as the city already faces a budget gap of around $1 billion, Budget Director Annette Guzman said.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2025
-
Wind blows the dust into the atmosphere and begins moving it westward over the Atlantic Ocean.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
There is no indication that Twain groped or took advantage of any of these girls, but the information, which Chernow lays out like a detective, is disturbing and sobering.—
Dwight Garner,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
-
The hip-hop artist groped Jones, the lawsuit states.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
While sorting through storage in their Rhode Island studio to prep those reissues, Ivy stumbled upon a treasure trove of reel-to-reel tapes and old hard drives with unused material.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2025
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On a remote island in northern Norway, metal detectorists stumbled upon a pair of bronze treasures.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Other big moments in Trump’s presidency include the leak of U.S. military attack plans to Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, what was widely considered to be the first major blunder of his second term.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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By the 10th, all those blunders faded into the background of their third win in three tries since Posey’s shocking flurry of roster moves.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Comcast has even booted its own RSNs in California—NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California—to the Ultimate tier.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
5 June 2025
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The former district attorney staunchly defended her legacy Wednesday morning, almost seven months to the day after voters booted her from office in an unprecedented recall election.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Speculation about Justin’s declining health has spiked after his public appearances have shown him looking tired and run-down.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
9 June 2025
-
People are looking at each other, looking at the clothes everybody got on.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
Piper Niven tripped Vega while Green was distracting the referee before Raw went to break.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
There’s never been any danger that Christopher McQuarrie would trip, fall, and accidentally make Barry Lyndon.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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