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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fumble
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Hunter Henry lost a fumble in 1-on-1 coverage drills working against Kyle Dugger, then another rep to Jabrill Peppers.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 July 2025
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 30 July 2025
That’s how Republicans fumbled their chance for a big win in 2022 but still won convincingly in 2024.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
In the playoffs, DeJean registered 18 tackles, four pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and an interception for a touchdown.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Hunter Henry lost a fumble in 1-on-1 coverage drills working against Kyle Dugger, then another rep to Jabrill Peppers.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 July 2025
Verb
Those two youngsters continue working well in tandem on the left side of the OL.
— QB Zach Wilson, who McDaniel said has the No. 2 job behind Tagovailoa, and RB Jaylen Wright fumbled an exchange in a late-practice situation in a red-zone drill.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 30 July 2025
That’s how Republicans fumbled their chance for a big win in 2022 but still won convincingly in 2024.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
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What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to recreate the Honey Deuce at home?—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Austin Jackson told reporters last month that the players were behind the decision to run laps after committing penalties or mental mistakes in practice.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The foghorn blew every 30 seconds and pelicans sailed above, doing a quick half corkscrew turn before diving.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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United’s prospective new owner, Michael Knighton, was on the pitch beforehand, ball-juggling and blowing kisses to the crowd, and Neil Webb smashed one in from 25 yards on his debut — wild stuff, honestly (yeah, get on with it, Grandad).—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The actor was accused of groping at least three women during photo-ops at the convention and attempting to remove one’s bra.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
1 Aug. 2025
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While posing with fans Busey was accused of groping several women, who filed reports with local police.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Indeed, the Braves overcame an early 5-1 deficit in the series opener Tuesday with four runs in the fourth inning to tie the score, only to give it right back on a night when Spencer Strider stumbled, tying a career high with eight runs allowed in four innings.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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The Wave have been fortunate that Orlando and Washington have also stumbled, keeping the gap small.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Over the past decade, the legendary team was known for tragic blunders regarding decision making and communication.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
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In total, Bonilla will walk away with a $29.8 million payday because of Wilpon’s blunder.—
Allen Kim,
CNN Money,
1 July 2025
Verb
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They were booted from an apartment in Stuyvesant Town last year for not paying more than $50,000 in back rent, court records show.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
4 Aug. 2025
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Contestants from Love Island USA Season 7 were also booted from the villa due to past racist remarks.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Obviously, women and girls are looking at the game a little bit more.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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There is hard evidence for these things, so stop looking to the sky for chem trails.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Kids weren’t tripping over themselves to sit and reach in their free time.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
12 Aug. 2025
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The report, which was obtained by The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, said police concluded that Trigg accidentally fell into the pool after tripping and falling on an inflatable chair.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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