1
as in fumbling
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 stumbling
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
blundered his way through an acceptance speech
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Recent Examples of blundering
The consequences ranged from hobbling Reconstruction to hastening the end of the Ottoman Empire to poisonous deflation, and the blundering response by governments helped shape the modern world.
—
Air Mail, 6 June 2026
The broadest of comedies, the film’s often puerile humor is driven by an endless stream of male bungling, blundering and whining, only to be kicked up a notch by pratfalls of nearly every variety, from getting bucked off a galloping horse to tripping into a pile of trash.
—Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 27 May 2026
Right now, the source of the disruption in the airline industry is the President’s blundering rather than a financial meltdown that originated on Wall Street.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Verizon never would have gotten the chance to buy Yahoo’s online operations if not for the company’s perpetual blundering under seven different CEOs in 16 years.
—Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verizon never would have gotten the chance to buy Yahoo’s online operations if not for the company’s perpetual blundering under seven different CEOs in 16 years.
—Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Verizon never would have gotten the chance to buy Yahoo's online operations if not for the company's perpetual blundering under seven different CEOs in 16 years.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the blundering machines have been pretty controversial since the moment they were deployed, with Coco launching its service in 2024, and Serve last September.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
Yabusele started Monday and immediately racked up two blundering fouls in four minutes.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Air Mail, 6 June 2026
The broadest of comedies, the film’s often puerile humor is driven by an endless stream of male bungling, blundering and whining, only to be kicked up a notch by pratfalls of nearly every variety, from getting bucked off a galloping horse to tripping into a pile of trash.
—Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 27 May 2026
Right now, the source of the disruption in the airline industry is the President’s blundering rather than a financial meltdown that originated on Wall Street.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Verizon never would have gotten the chance to buy Yahoo’s online operations if not for the company’s perpetual blundering under seven different CEOs in 16 years.
—Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verizon never would have gotten the chance to buy Yahoo’s online operations if not for the company’s perpetual blundering under seven different CEOs in 16 years.
—Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Verizon never would have gotten the chance to buy Yahoo's online operations if not for the company's perpetual blundering under seven different CEOs in 16 years.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the blundering machines have been pretty controversial since the moment they were deployed, with Coco launching its service in 2024, and Serve last September.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
Yabusele started Monday and immediately racked up two blundering fouls in four minutes.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blundering
Verb
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Trump said, fumbling for words.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
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But then again, neither is the Bears fumbling and bumbling.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Bryan’s stumbling responses, under questioning from the legendary defense lawyer Clarence Darrow, left him humiliated.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
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The Grimm Brothers fairy tale follows a pair of famished siblings who get lost in the woods and entrapped by a child-eating witch, after stumbling upon her cottage made of candy.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The footwear rule came into play because local mountain rescue crews were fed up with having to come to the aid of so many people tripping over their own feet.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
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Other common soccer penalties include tripping, kicking, holding or pulling jerseys, pushing or charging players, and dangerous plays like high kicks or kicking near another player's head.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The officials described Pakistan’s monthslong effort leading the negotiations, struggling to keep both sides from walking out of the room and a total collapse of the negotiations on multiple occasions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
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The third spot, initially expected to go to Martín Zubimendi, now looks more likely to be Fabián Ruiz for the Cape Verde opener, with De la Fuente pragmatic about rotating in the early group games and with Zubimendi struggling for form later on in the club season.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blundering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blundering. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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