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

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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

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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
In a Week 14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Smith recovered a fumble and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown — the fifth-longest fumble return in franchise history. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026 The Arlington Heights mayor shares his thoughts on Illinois’ Bears fumble. — Hilary Gowins, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Verb
After South Korea’s goalkeeper fumbled a ball, Luis Romo scored the goal that gave the Mexicans six points and pushed them to the top of the standings. — Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026 OnlyFans fumbled a previous version of this dilemma. — Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 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
  • Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • The scribe carefully inscribed each line with a quill made from a goose feather, while their other hand wielded an erasing knife used to sharpen the quill and scrape away any mistakes.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of mistake
Verb
  • One interception attempt resulted in a large explosion that spectacularly blew the roof off a fuel tank.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • After the final whistle blew and this Norway team had made history, Haaland took a moment and looked into the Norwegian cheering section, trying to process what had just happened.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • The juvenile was allegedly approached by a man who tried starting a conversation and groped them.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026
  • In each incident, women were standing alone when the attacker grabbed them from behind and groped them, police said.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 June 2026
Definition of grope
Verb
  • After a chance meeting saving the life of a reporter, Dez stumbles across a vast conspiracy and now must stop the forces intent on keeping their secrets safe.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 July 2026
  • The hole was discovered in early April when a volunteer on a weekend cemetery clean-up day stumbled upon it.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
Definition of stumble
Noun
  • Sometimes this was committed to good, such as the Marshall Plan and the Peace Corps, and sometimes to ill, as in a series of military blunders meant to quash godless Communism.
    — Jim Rasenberger, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also fallen foul of Germany’s World Cup elimination by Paraguay, after stumbling into a social media debacle following a communications blunder.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of blunder
Verb
  • The region has also booted nuclear power, closing a number of plants.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 9 July 2026
  • What is clear is that the Celtics’ front office sees great potential in their 2025 first-rounder, even after head coach Joe Mazzulla booted him from the rotation in the final weeks of his rookie season.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026
Definition of boot
Verb
  • Decor That Doesn’t Fit the Aesthetic Button shares that part of her design process is figuring out whether a piece would look good in a location or aesthetic that inspired her design.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 July 2026
  • Changing out lighting, mirrors, and adding stylish decor can boost a bathroom’s look without major renos.
    — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
Definition of look
Verb
  • Egypt had taken a surprising lead in the 15th minute, but Argentina was quickly given the chance to level the match when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolás Tagliafico in the box moments later.
    — Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 8 July 2026
  • Argentina was quickly given the chance to level the match when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolas Tagliafico in the box moments later.
    — James Robson, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Definition of trip

Browse Nearby Words

fulsome
fumble
fumbled
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Cite this Entry

“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 12 Jul. 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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