as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to blow
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
her assistant fumbled the party plans by getting the time wrong on the invitations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grope
to search for something blindly or uncertainly
the librarian fumbled for the light switch as she entered the dark room
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
just when it looked like he was going to get away with the ruse, he fumbled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fumble
Daniel Popper, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
One of those fumbles was recovered by the Chargers.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
Instead of gaining a first down, Simpson fumbled on a hit by Hoosiers cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
The Chargers forced two turnovers — Henley’s interception and a sack-fumble from edge rusher Odafe Oweh in the third quarter.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
One of those fumbles was recovered by the Chargers.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Owls fumbled again on their next drive at their 18, setting up a Texas State field goal to take a 27-7 lead.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
Instead of gaining a first down, Simpson fumbled on a hit by Hoosiers cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
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While rebounding kept the Horned Frogs in the game early, the offense finally picked up until the mistakes piled up down the stretch.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Let’s look back on 2025 fantasy misses to look forward and avoid making the signature mistake of each whiff come the 2026 draft season.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Texans defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins picked the ball up and ran it to the end zone for what felt like the knockout blow even though there was still a lot of time left to play.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Federal officers fired tear gas Monday to break up a crowd of whistle-blowing bystanders in Minneapolis who showed up to see the aftermath of a car crash involving immigration agents, just a few blocks from where Good was fatally shot.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The prosecution’s theory was that Moseby started by flirting with students, then began groping them while disguising the action as legitimate help with cheer moves.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
31 Dec. 2025
-
During the ride, one of the men groped Rosalinda, who was fourteen.—
Jordan Salama,
New Yorker,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Government agencies and businesses that invest in this training, and that insist every critical number survives a deterministic check, will capture AI's benefits without stumbling into its blind spots.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
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Dodge, still suffering the consequences of axing the popular previous generations of Charger and Challenger muscle cars, saw sales stumble down 28% compared with the previous year.—
Liam Rappleye,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But when her latest husband, discord spirit Raksh, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina must clean up his blunder, contend with Marjana’s demands for the truth…and figure out who on her crew is plotting a mutiny.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
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Williamson County based Ramsey Solutions has also come up with an effective guide to avoid any regifting blunders.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The Bills could get booted early by a Jags squad peaking at exactly the right moment.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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She nearly got booted during the first roundtable vote, a close call that seemed to leave her shaken.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Don't be fooled by an ocean that looks calm.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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His first year as a starter, in 2023, finished with UGA on the outside looking in of the playoff — the final year of the four-team format — after Georgia lost in the SEC Championship Game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dellandrea was injured in the Sharks’ game on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as his right leg struck the post after he was inadvertently tripped while driving to the net.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Any tease that the movie could possibly be about anything more — a love triangle, a recently deceased mother, a vet’s puzzlement that Hawaii doesn’t even have rabies — is nothing but a banana peel tripping the audience into expecting a narrative.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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