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
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Carter-Riverside then took almost 8 minutes off the clock with a drive form its own 4 to the Western Hill 8, but a fumble gave the Cougars some life.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2025
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
Helix scored and went for two points to win, but fumbled the snap.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
The 49ers overcame Stafford’s success last game with timely heroics, notably Alfred Collins’ forced fumble at the 1-yard line late in regulation before their walk-off, fourth-down stop in overtime.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Carter-Riverside then took almost 8 minutes off the clock with a drive form its own 4 to the Western Hill 8, but a fumble gave the Cougars some life.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
With its easy-to-slip-on design and timeless silhouette, this pair of boots is perfect for travelers who dread fumbling with laces during the chaotic airport security screenings.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
Helix scored and went for two points to win, but fumbled the snap.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
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In a game in which little went right on offense, Rodgers’ two costliest mistakes led directly to Chargers points.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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An undisclosed person or company was using that form with his name, said Asnani, who framed the issue as a likely mistake and emphasized he was not involved in any Missouri campaigns.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Straight line winds can blow down trees, power lines, and damage mobile homes and other buildings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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The Buffalo Bills were left stunned in Miami on Sunday afternoon as the Dolphins blew them out 30-13 in a crucial AFC East rivalry game.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will press charges against a man who groped her in public, in a brazen display that experts say underscores the country’s rampant misogyny.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The incident took place on Tuesday when a man broke through a crowd of people greeting Sheinbaum in Mexico City and appeared to grope her, according to viral footage of the incident.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Although the discovery has only now been formally studied, cavers from the Czech Speleological Society first stumbled upon the phenomenon in 2022 during an expedition in Vromoner Canyon.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Uber reported strong growth in its third-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, but stumbled on the bottom line after absorbing a $479 million charge for what the company described as undisclosed legal and regulatory matters.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Reminded of a financial blunder?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
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The series had so many moments — center fielders trucking left fielders, base-running blunders, walk offs, extra-innings games.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That the pair do not take it well is immediately evidenced by the 16-year-old finding getting booted onto the streets in freezing weather, sans shoes or jacket.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Next week, Adelman will see how much of an overlap there is on who should be booted from the pool.—
John Diedrich,
jsonline.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Green Bay Packers will look to get back on track in Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering an upset loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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The stream of remittances from relatives abroad, a consequence of more than 7 million Venezuelans fleeing the country under Maduro to look for better opportunities elsewhere, is also falling short.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This and that ▪ Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II was contrite about lashing out at running backs coach Eric Studesville in a heated exchange after Gordon was called for a tripping penalty against Baltimore.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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To learn more about some of the region’s wild food offerings, trip out to Mushroom Mountain in nearby Easley.—
Nevin Martell,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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