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
Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
The Spiders also committed three turnovers, including a fumble that Makai Gbayor returned for a 62-yard touchdown.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
This comes just days after Tagovailoa threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball en route to the Indianapolis Colts’ drubbing of the Dolphins.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
One miscue was a fumble into the end zone from the two-yard line, which thwarted a long drive late in the third quarter.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
The Spiders also committed three turnovers, including a fumble that Makai Gbayor returned for a 62-yard touchdown.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
Progressives fumbled their 2022 campaigns for the seat, when multiple candidates with left-wing credentials knocked each other out, letting Goldman prevail with just 26% of the vote.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
This comes just days after Tagovailoa threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball en route to the Indianapolis Colts’ drubbing of the Dolphins.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
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But Trump has seemed to suggest that the drone incident may have been a mistake.—
Michelle Stoddart,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Consumer Behavior Supports Continued Innovation One of leaders’ biggest mistakes during volatile periods is assuming all consumer behavior changes negatively.—
Talbott Roche,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As health restrictions discouraged people from blowing directly into instruments, Gajewski and Brown reimagined the design.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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Soldiers have also been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners and landscapers – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves and scooping up trash.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There was another meeting at Perry’s home in 2021, during which Dixon said the producer again drank too much and allegedly groped Dixon during a good-night hug, according to The Hollywood Reporter.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
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Students described being held down and having teammates rub their genitals on their faces, being groped in locker rooms, and in some cases penetrated with a broomstick.—
Hannah Dreyfus,
AZCentral.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Inspired by true events, The Rip centers on a team of Miami police officers who stumble upon millions in cash during a raid of a stash house.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Rise of Long-Horizon Capital Where VCs stumbled, others seized control.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Shrader missed badly from 60 yards but Tillman’s infraction gave the Colts another untimed down and Shrader nailed the do-over to give Indy its first 2-0 start since 2009 and send the Broncos home with big regrets over their blunder.—
Arnie Stapleton,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
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Pittsburgh Steelers kick returner Kaleb Johnson suffered an unfortunate blunder during the team’s game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Elon Musk has been booted from his spot as the world's richest person, according to Bloomberg's latest ranking.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Some states with a lone 400 member last year were booted from the list, including Idaho (Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot), Rhode Island (Providence Equity Partners founder Jonathon Nelson) and Maine (Dexter Shoe Company heiress Susan Alfond).—
Ella Malmgren,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The jeans also have a cropped length that hits right at the ankle and patch pockets that not only look cute, but are also functional.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
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The order, which, again, acts like one blanket prescription, allows pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to look at FDA approval for vaccines and not ACIP recommendations.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Several videos begin with Taddese’s friend, who wore a white shirt and gray pants, pushing a persondown as that individual trips him.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
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In Bora Bora, trips with Bora Diving Center (by Eleuthera) are another good bet for seeing mantas and schooling eagle rays within the famous lagoon.—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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