blundered

verb

past tense of blunder
1
as in fumbled
to make a mistake even though the prosecution had blundered several times in presenting its case, it ultimately prevailed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in stumbled
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually blundered his way through an acceptance speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of blundered Rubio is the president’s top adviser on both national security and diplomacy at a moment when the United States has blundered into an unpopular war that appears to be a strategic catastrophe. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026 Padres fielders blundered in three of his outings. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 People see this president as having blundered into a war with no clear rationale. — NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026 Back in the team after injury, Neuer made strong saves in the first half but blundered for Freiburg's second, leaping out of his goal to palm a corner straight to Freiburg striker Lucas Höler for an easy second. — ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026 The growing political noise raises questions about whether Netflix, which has had one of the cleanest business strategies and investment stories in media, blundered into its first big M&A swing. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blundered
  1. fumbled
  2. stumbled
  3. tripped
  4. struggled
  5. erred
Verb
  • Thomas and Woods fumbled in the first half in Spartan territory — their first of the season on 118 combined carries thus far.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • During Sunday night’s game against the Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle, Mahomes fumbled after a big hit, and roughly 22 players had a chance to recover the ball.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of fumbled
Verb
  • Williams stumbled backward and circled both arms backward as Avdija kicked the ball out to Lillard for a three-pointer.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • An Egyptian farmer tending to his cucumbers stumbled upon an ancient stone that led archaeologists to a much bigger discovery.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of stumbled
Verb
  • Schaefer stayed on the ice for the first half of the extra period before Nashville's Filip Forsberg tripped him, forcing the period's first stoppage.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Doing so tripped Sixers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, and the nearest official immediately whistled for an offensive foul, Towns’ second inside the first four minutes of the season opener.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of tripped
Verb
  • The 3-3 Knights have struggled in the Big 12 since joining the conference, but tend to be better at home in the friendly confines of the Acrisure Bounce House.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The shift signals a turning point for the left, which has historically struggled to counter the far-right’s dominant online presence and savvy digital strategy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggled
Verb
  • In that case, the human on duty, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov, correctly judged that the system had erred.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Big 12 admits end-of-game error The Big 12 issued a statement acknowledging its officials erred by not allowing Notre Dame one more play when the game clock showed one second remained when CJ Carr’s incomplete pass hit the ground on the final play.
    — Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of erred

Browse Nearby Words

blunderbusses
blundered
blunderer
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Cite this Entry

“Blundered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blundered. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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