fumble 1 of 2

noun

Definition of fumblenext
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fumble

2 of 2

verb

ˈfəm-bəl How to pronounce fumble (audio)
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

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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

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 fumble
Noun
Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson also forced and recovered a fumble on running back Ollie Gordon II. — CBS News, 30 July 2026 When a robot fumbles, 6G provides a safety net via remote human teleoperation. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 July 2026
Verb
Deeper scoops along the edges create a wider gap between the two halves, giving you more leverage to open the phone without resorting to your fingernails or fumbling for a grip. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026 Rhaenyra continues to fumble her assent to the Iron Throne while Daemon pushes for more aggressive tactics to answer their enemy’s assaults. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
  1. mistake
  2. blow
  3. grope
  4. stumble
  5. blunder
  6. boot
  7. look
  8. trip
Noun
  • Our work shows that expressive cues appear to shift how people perceive a mistake out of the category of technical malfunction and into the category of social violation, like those that happen between people.
    — Yigit Topoglu, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But according to rocket scientists at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), slamming a nuclear warhead directly into the side of a space rock is a rookie mistake.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistake
Verb
  • Photos show that chunks of ceiling have fallen in two rooms and leaves have blown into a few others, suggesting there are some holes that need to be patched up immediately.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Pirates have blown 20 of 42 save opportunities this season and already released reliever Dennis Santana, who began the year splitting the closing duties with Gregory Soto.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Love curated these parties to create a space where patrons don’t have to worry about their drink getting spiked, getting groped in the crowd, or their light being dimmed in any way, Love said.
    — Zuri Primos July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • Gooding has been accused of groping dozens of women and pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching in 2022.
    — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Definition of grope
Verb
  • Pochettino was hired in 2024 to right the ship after the men's team stumbled in a crucial tournament in the run-up to this summer's World Cup.
    — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Facebook stumbled out of the gate and trended lower for months before bottoming at less than half its IPO price.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of stumble
Noun
  • That doesn’t sound cheap, but thinking any premium means a fund is pricey is another first-level blunder.
    — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • In 2026, Mattel is doubling down and averting any PR blunders with a Holiday Barbie that, by all accounts, looks genuinely gorgeous.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
Definition of blunder
Verb
  • Predatory towing, which can include booting and towing at exorbitant prices, affects residents, small business owners and truck drivers across Charlotte.
    — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • In May, police and city workers returned to Jose Rizal Park and again booted out dealers and addicts, preparing the park for a renovation.
    — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of boot
Verb
  • If younger-looking skin is your goal, then Patchology’s Glow Potion Illuminating Superfood Serum is about to become your new BFF.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Engineered to protect hair from extreme heat, the Supersonic™ Travel uses intelligent heat control to measure temperature 100 times per second for healthier-looking, softer-feeling hair.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of look
Verb
  • Brooks, who is recovering from back-to-back ACL injuries, took a kick return rep midway through practice and seemingly tripped with his momentum taking him head-first into rookie linebacker Jackson Kuwatch’s ankles.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026
  • The 36-year-old Oakland resident called 911 on July 17 to report that his 5-year-old son appeared to be tripping on mushrooms, authorities said.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Definition of trip

Browse Nearby Words

fulsome
fumble
fumbled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fumble

Nglish: Translation of fumble for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fumble

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