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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
  • Beneath it all hums the climate crisis, driving hotter, drier weather and pushing the water cycle off balance.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But the area has history, with an old town dating back to the Etruscans and a tranquil port that hums to life each morning with fishing boats.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of hums
Verb
  • So the associate who fumbles a membership conversation doesn’t need a lecture.
    — Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • DeLand was driving inside the 20 yard line and Taihj Moore fumbles, recovered by Lake Mary.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of fumbles
Verb
  • While going through Verity’s files, Lowen stumbles on her memoir, an alleged confession.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But here, too, Wladyka stumbles, opting for a comforting but pat ending about how dance and art enliven so many lives.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of stumbles
Verb
  • Instead, the ensuing spree sputters from one encounter to the next, leaving you with a choppy number that should go bigger and end sooner.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Texans are 0-3 for the straight year as the offense sputters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of sputters
Verb
  • Best Time To Visit As a lake town, Coeur d’Alene buzzes with activity in the summer months, but fall is arguably its best season.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Elimar, the ground floor restaurant, buzzes at breakfast with a spectacular spread including giant wheels of parmesan and sides of prosciutto, fruit, egg and pancake stations, and a gluten-free section.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of buzzes
Verb
  • Policymakers' ignorance of oil market mechanics becomes clear only when geopolitics enters the picture and blows it all to hell, either figuratively or literally.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Starritt reveals the harsher sides of entrepreneurship, including the constant scramble for venture capital, the difficult financial options, the unforeseen blows from uncontrollable world events, the grueling hours and more.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of blows
Verb
  • In bonds, France’s problem is America’s problem A lot of eyes are on the French bond market right now as Paris struggles to deal with its national debt.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Today, Los Angeles struggles as productions flee to places including New Jersey, Georgia, London and Albuquerque, which are taking their turns as urban shape-shifters.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • Afterward, everyone chats for a little while—a manageable dose of socializing for people who’d rather not work a crowded room.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Shuenemeyer regularly chats with other arborists from Maine to Washington, looking to identify and catalog historic varieties of apples.
    — Kevin Strong, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of chats

Browse Nearby Words

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 17 Oct. 2026.

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