1
as in fumbling
to make a mistake
unnerved by her earlier missteps, the skater fluffed on the final jump as well
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in blowing
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
I completely fluffed the introduction by calling the boss's wife by the wrong name
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of fluffing
While the wreath is full, some shoppers suggest fluffing it out a bit before hanging.
—
Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
The brand recommends laying the topper flat to expand for several hours after removing it from the packaging, but shoppers note that fluffing it in the dryer before use also does the trick.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Filling is made up of individual fibers, which can be redistributed by fluffing the couch cushions.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025
Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
The brand recommends laying the topper flat to expand for several hours after removing it from the packaging, but shoppers note that fluffing it in the dryer before use also does the trick.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Filling is made up of individual fibers, which can be redistributed by fluffing the couch cushions.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluffing
Verb
-
The uncharacteristic nature of fumbling the ball three times in a row is not lost on the star running back.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Her accused City Hall of fumbling in the Midway.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After blowing a golden opportunity against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, the Ravens blew out the Cleveland Browns but then coughed up another statement-win opportunity against the Detroit Lions last week.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The episode ends with a surreal, graphic deepfake scene of a totally nude Donald Trump stumbling around a desert.—
Nick Marx,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Inside the agency, Dudek, ill-prepared for leadership or for DOGE’s murky agenda, was stumbling through the chaos in part by creating some of his own.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The soap's sensual marketing theme earned mixed reactions on social media, with some users dubbing it a gimmick and questioning the item's cleanliness.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Think visual effects, dubbing and storyboarding.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The edges of the rug are reinforced with a self-binding technique that discourages loose threads and encourages the sides to lie flat, mitigating tripping hazards.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Oklahoma’s Vintage Roadside Americana And Oktoberfest Road tripping in Oklahoma may be less about fall foliage and more about exploring the Sooner State’s nostalgia and charm.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Doing so could compromise the slight taper at the hem, ruining the silhouette.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Car designers love them for not ruining the lines of the door with the necessities of real life, but is the benefit from drag reduction worth the safety risk?—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fluffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluffing. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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