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
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2025
Of course Mendenhall also had a critical fumble in the Steelers’ loss to Green Bay in the Super Bowl that year.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
These are both great, morally complex characters with compelling stories and the trailer certainly looks terrific:
However much Disney has fumbled the Star Wars IP over the last decade, the animated stuff has mostly been quite good.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
One of the most impactful defensive plays came from linebacker Mason Carrier forcing a fumble.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2025
Of course Mendenhall also had a critical fumble in the Steelers’ loss to Green Bay in the Super Bowl that year.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
The characters in Megan Howell’s short stories, which glide into scenes of magical realism, are lonely people facing the harsh realities of an often violent world and fumbling toward something more hopeful.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
These are both great, morally complex characters with compelling stories and the trailer certainly looks terrific:
However much Disney has fumbled the Star Wars IP over the last decade, the animated stuff has mostly been quite good.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
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There have been expensive product mistakes and lots of trial and error with brushes, clips, hair dryers….—
Liz Krieger,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
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But a prevailing question is whether the administration has raced to act, made mistakes and later applied new narratives and legal justifications to specific deportation cases challenged in the news and in the courts.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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April 17, 2025 The wind gusts could blow around unsecured objects and a few power outages may occur, the National Weather Service advised.—
Ashley Fredde,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The boy, whom The Denver Post is not identifying, said Hedges groped and assaulted him after the boy laid down to sleep at one of two cabins the team was staying in during the trip to Taos in northern New Mexico.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
2 Apr. 2025
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Here is a puzzle that should bring back memories for many solvers: settling down into a spacious middle seat, groping for seatbelts, suffering through the same tired safety notices.—
Sam Corbin,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Woman Makes 'Creepy' Find In Thrift Store By Alice Gibbs Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A thrift store shopper from Scotland stumbled on something unexpected in her local store when a beautiful glass paperweight caught her eye.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
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Contractors renovating a historic home in Belgium stumbled upon the entrance to a secret tunnel identified by archaeologists as an escape route from World War I.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The lawyer, author and consulting firm CEO has spent more than 30 years counseling people through their biggest blunders and controversies, from former president George H. W. Bush to Fortune 500 CEOs and professional athletes.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
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Russell Westbrook bounced back from his decisive blunder against Minnesota by scoring a season-high 30 points and adding 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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JoJo Siwa Lashes Out at Paparazzi Over 'Bizarre' Migrant Crisis Question By Sophie Clark Live News Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 Mickey Rourke is reportedly looking to sue a U.K. TV station after being booted from Celebrity Big Brother only six days into the show.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Following three straight shutouts of the Rockies, Cease ran the team’s scoreless streak to 37 innings — three shy of the 1984 team record — before Manny Machado cracked the door open in the fourth inning by booting Justin Turner’s leadoff grounder.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mikko has food aversion, often eating only certain colors and textures, so the family looks for grocery stores and lodging that have a kitchen or at least a microwave.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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The Kings are looking to end their postseason nightmare, which has seen the Oilers knock them out in the first round for three straight years.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To drag their 13-3 record to that depth, the Padres would have to fall apart and trip over themselves numerous other times.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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While the elites were busy tripping over themselves to dismiss his campaign, President Trump was busy shining a light on the issues that matter to everyday Americans.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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