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
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
As Horton made the catch and took two steps, Coney punched the ball loose, resulting in a drive-ending fumble.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
Rodriguez is a turnover machine (four interceptions, seven forced fumbles last year) with outstanding instincts and feel in zone coverage.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
As Horton made the catch and took two steps, Coney punched the ball loose, resulting in a drive-ending fumble.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
In the 88th minute, Neuer fumbled a routine shot and allowed Joselu to equalise.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
-
Unfortunately, admitting mistakes doesn’t come easily for many people.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
To avoid this big mistake, figure out in advance exactly how deep the hole should be, and be careful not to dig any deeper.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Mets, who are a close second to LA with a $370 million payroll and over $500 million due in payments this year thanks to the luxury tax, have now lost 11 straight games after blowing a ninth inning lead to the Cubs on Sunday.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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Matt Strahm struck out the side in the eighth inning, but Erceg allowed three walks and blew a save opportunity.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Police are looking for a man who has groped at least two women recently at the Silver Lake Reservoir.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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Since Busfield's arrest, at least four women have told police that the Emmy Award-winning actor and director groped their breasts and genitals and forced himself on them, dating from 1993 to 2000.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During a routine survey in preparation for a housing development in Winsch, local authorities stumbled upon the former Roman camp in August 2025.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Clemson also stumbled to a 7-6 mark, a year after registering a 10-4 record in 2024.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Tunsil plummeted out of the top ten, falling all the way to the 13th pick, where the Miami Dolphins were the beneficiaries of his blunder.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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That such a blunder might be shrugged off and even celebrated, rather than shamefully shunted away, struck Schuch as a very American notion.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dreyer lobbed a pass that Marcus Ingvartsen booted home, capitalizing on Christopher McVey’s header attempt.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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His original boss, national security adviser Mike Waltz, was booted to the United Nations after the Signalgate scandal, leaving the role to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was already juggling portfolios and is busier now with Iran.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nikita Kucharov had a huge tying goal in Game 2, but otherwise had looked frustrated in his ability to produce more offense.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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He’s proven to be exactly what Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc was looking for .—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The skull fracture was likely caused when Martinez tripped while holding Heather a couple weeks before her death, the attorneys found.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
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This is where Democrats always trip themselves up.—
Evan Thies,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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