bumbles 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of bumble
as in hums
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound a fly bumbling around the room while we were trying to sleep

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bumbles

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of bumble
1
as in fumbles
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way accused the White House staff of bumbling the announcement of the replacement for the cabinet post

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2
as in stumbles
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually I sort of bumbled through the dance number, hoping that it would soon end

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3
as in sputters
to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly overcome with stage fright, I could only bumble through the speech

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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 bumbles
Verb
Despite the seeming horror of it all, the world just bumbles onwards. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bumbles
  1. hums
  2. fumbles
  3. stumbles
  4. sputters
  5. buzzes
  6. blows
  7. struggles
  8. chats
Verb
  • Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Delray Beach is from late April through early June, when the city still hums with energy but sheds the intensity of peak season.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
  • This deck area positively hums with IG brunch-scene potential.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026
Definition of hums
Verb
  • Tensions between the galley and the interior continue to escalate over lunch service, when a radio mishap fumbles the order in which the food should go out.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026
  • The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 May 2026
Definition of fumbles
Verb
  • But then our son stumbles into the room and burrows between us, his warmth radiating right alongside my light.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • Let’s say Paul Simon, a curious man, stumbles upon your song and then reads this interview.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of stumbles
Verb
  • But for ordinary Americans, for those of us without fame, wealth, or connections, the machinery of justice often sputters.
    — Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
  • This will be a close game while the Eagles offense sputters against the Seahawks defense, and the offense hears a few boos in the second half.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Definition of sputters
Verb
  • Your social world buzzes with activity as Mercury and Venus harmonize in the skies.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • Overlapping time zones, a phone that buzzes through dinner, investors who expect answers before the market opens tomorrow, and social-media pressure all threaten reputations.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of buzzes
Verb
  • That area, as much for necessity as anything, becomes highly populated once the final practice whistle blows.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
  • But anyone who understands sports beyond using them as a vehicle for political commentary knows that athletes routinely play through pain while the action is still live, then react once the whistle blows.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of blows
Verb
  • Missile salvos and militia attacks have choked key shipping lanes, damaged Saudi oil facilities and driven up global prices even as fragile diplomacy struggles to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and avert escalation.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • The film follows a young man who struggles to balance his mental problems, medication, and drugs with his musical ambitions.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • Some of the German Telegram chats date back to at least 2020, court documents show.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • Dwayne Johnson chats all things Moana during a special Q&A to promote the live-action film in Rio De Janeiro July 2.
    — Brendan Le Updated, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of chats

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bumblers
bumbles
bumbling
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Cite this Entry

“Bumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bumbles. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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