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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of fumble
Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Robinson has contributed 47 tackles, 10 sacks and forced one fumble in his first two seasons.
—Omar Kelly
may 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Second baseman Luis Arraez had a chance to turn a double play on Montgomery’s grounder but fumbled the ball and had to settle for one out.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
On defense, cornerback Osiris Gilbert broke up multiple passes and had a few hard hits, linebacker Samuel Omosigho earned a sack, and linebacker Malaki Soliai-Tui forced a fumble.
—Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Robinson has contributed 47 tackles, 10 sacks and forced one fumble in his first two seasons.
—Omar Kelly
may 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
Verb
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
Second baseman Luis Arraez had a chance to turn a double play on Montgomery’s grounder but fumbled the ball and had to settle for one out.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
-
Wrobleski made even fewer mistakes.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
In many games, her assists and offensive prowess create positives that can arguably offset her mistakes.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Somewhere a hand was raised, a whistle was blown, and all at once the butchers were out of their stalls, assembling in the aisles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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The Washington Nationals used Richard Lovelady, who blew Monday’s series opener, as an opener, followed by veteran Miles Mikolas for a bulk appearance, their most promising combination given their roster construction and arms available.—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The abuse included groping and fondling of the students’ genitals and other acts under the guise of a medical examination.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Once in the pool, the man grabbed and groped the girl, police said.—
Larry Seward,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The first robot stumbles on aluminum debris, its wheels furiously trying to get traction and move around the obstacle.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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Traveling even to a different Strip hotel could be bewildering, so tourists worn out by a day of wandering, people-watching and drinking didn’t seem to mind mediocre restaurants, content to stumble off to bed after a few turns at the tables.—
Winston Ross,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The Phillies got some help in the eighth inning on a baserunning blunder by Fernando Tatis, on first base with two outs after his third hit of the game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Adell misplayed a flyball into a bizarre home run off his head Tuesday, a fielding blunder reminiscent of José Canseco's embarrassing gaffe 33 years ago with the Texas Rangers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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After Rangers first baseman Jake Burger got aboard with a leadoff single, Garcia booted a ground ball off the bat of Ezequiel Duran.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
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The ice giant getting booted out of the solar system isn't the thing that spared Jupiter's and Uranus' moons from a similar fate.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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For families This is a rather adult hotel, though parents traveling with kids should look into the apartments—the two-bedroom options all have two single beds in the smaller rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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Rosie couldn’t have cared less, her eyes were looking only at Rich singing his little songs, not at the drama playing out directly in front of his stage.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Beauchamp tripping back in time, lost and separated in the highlands of 18th century Scotland.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
-
The two facts sit in such obvious tension that most workplace analysts trip over one trying to explain the other.—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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