as in fumbling
to search for something blindly or uncertainly
take a minute to fish for some change to drop in the donation box
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 fishing
The Placer County Sheriff's Office said that, on May 23, a woman was fishing with her son and elderly mother at Chana Park when the two women were allegedly attacked by 49-year-old Michael Appleberry.
—
Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Investigators said a woman was fishing with her son and her elderly mother when Appleberry allegedly attacked them.
—Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
Of the more than 40 million annual visitors to the state, about a quarter seek outdoor recreation, including fishing at the state’s extensive network of fishing holes—rivers like the Missouri and Mississippi, as well as more than 2,700 lakes—meaning a stop at Bass Pro is almost always in order.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Do not swim near people fishing or spearfishing.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fishing
Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Investigators said a woman was fishing with her son and her elderly mother when Appleberry allegedly attacked them.
—Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
Of the more than 40 million annual visitors to the state, about a quarter seek outdoor recreation, including fishing at the state’s extensive network of fishing holes—rivers like the Missouri and Mississippi, as well as more than 2,700 lakes—meaning a stop at Bass Pro is almost always in order.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Do not swim near people fishing or spearfishing.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fishing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fishing
Verb
-
But then again, neither is the Bears fumbling and bumbling.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Like, for example, calling a risky trick play in South Bend that resulted in wide receiver Makai Lemon fumbling on first-and-10 from the Notre Dame 37-yard line down three points in the fourth quarter.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Mike and Samantha Tiburtini didn’t start looking until about a month after their son Ellis was born in May 2022.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
Timothy Hawkins said the command was aware of reports and looking into the situation.—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fishing. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
