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 2025, the Chiefs’ defense forced only eight fumbles, tied with the Green Bay Packers for the second-worst mark in the league — ahead of only the Tennessee Titans (7). — Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 Josiah Rand, Chaminade, senior Elite speed and a nose for the football, Rand tied for the team lead with 50 tackles for Chaminade, had two pass deflections and forced a fumble. — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 31 July 2026
Verb
After Duran took third on a fly ball, pinch-hitter Joc Pederson hit a ground ball up the middle that was fumbled by Taylor Walls, allowing Duran to score. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 Chad Powers season 2 sees the actor reprise his role as Russ Holliday, a former star college quarterback who fumbled his promising career after a humiliating championship-game meltdown. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 29 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
  • The debtor made a mistake to incur the liability, the liability was not covered by adequate insurance, and no settlement was achieved in litigation.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Despite acknowledging mistakes were made, FIFA is still facing a barrage of obstacles that are preventing it and Infantino from moving on from the saga.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistake
Verb
  • Then a few months after the trumpets were blown, World War II broke out.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • On a covered walkway between the Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas shrines this week, metal fans blow a cooling mist.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Quaylin Wesley, 27, of Oakland and Vallejo, has been charged with 10 felonies for allegedly going into the girl’s room repeatedly on the night of June 13 and groping her, forcing her to touch him, and attempting to sodomize her, prosecutors say.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of grope
Verb
  • According to The New York Times, a detective within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department who had been assigned to dig into the Shakur cold case stumbled upon Davis’ memoir and used it as evidence to build his case against him.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Drunken dragonrider Ulf the White's rage proves pivotal Debaucherous dragonrider Ulf White (Tom Bennett) stumbles into playing a major role in the final battle with his dragon Silverwing.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of stumble
Noun
  • Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey made an uncharacteristic defensive blunder Wednesday night.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
  • These common design blunders amplify the impression of tight quarters.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of blunder
Verb
  • O’Hare booted members of the public from the room for the meeting for disrupting decorum, instead inviting speakers to address the commissioners one-by-one.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Morton read her lines aloud on set with Phoenix during production was booted from the movie and replaced by Scarlett Johansson in post production.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 4 Aug. 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
  • Utilities use them to trip the opening or closing of valves when water levels reach a certain threshold or to dispense precise amounts of chlorine in the treatment process.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Solar deck lights come in two common varieties, one designed for stair risers so people don’t trip, and post-cap lights that mount on top of deck handrail posts.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 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 11 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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