FUMBLE Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

fumble 1 of 2

noun

Definition of fumble

as in mistake

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fumble

2 of 2

verb

ˈfəm-bəl

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

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

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 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

The Vikings overcame two lost fumbles inside the 20-yard line, one the Saints used as a catalyst for their only offensive touchdown of the afternoon and one that was returned for a score. — CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 In overtime, after Rams linebacker Nate Landman forced a fumble that was recovered by Aaron Donald, Stafford drove the Rams to the Bills’ 30-yard line. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

So the associate who fumbles a membership conversation doesn’t need a lecture. — Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The state legislature continues to fumble the Bears stadium deal. — Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fumble

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble

Noun

In Kundassery’s view, the Democratic Party had made a critical mistake in the first few months of 2025.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
To keep errors in check, each graph is shown to multiple volunteers, and their answers are combined so that individual mistakes average out, according to the project's website.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistake

Verb

Ocean iron fertilization grew from the idea that iron-rich dust blown across the oceans during past ice ages fed blooms of phytoplankton, helping to lower atmospheric CO₂.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
But head coach Ben Johnson isn't going to be happy that his team nearly blew a 24-point lead with just over 12 minutes to go.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Verb

Multiple fraternity members then entered the room, where one of the newcomers kissed her without her consent, and one of the first three men commanded her to take more ketamine and groped her, according to the complaint.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
There’s always a fear of groping around in the dark; of not even knowing who to talk to.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of grope

Verb

Resendiz finished strongly, sending Mazoudier stumbling backward in the final minute.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Munyon's Paw-Paw, an alcoholic beverage dating to the early 1900s, has been resurrected by two longtime spirits industry veterans who stumbled upon its unusual history during a family outing.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumble

Noun

Adam Hamilton Hamilton, the Democratic nominee, has characterized the war as a major foreign policy blunder.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Holding her tongue is not Kate’s forte in general, and the severity of Todd’s avalanche of blunders in their meeting with the British foreign secretary tests the outer limits of her ability.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of blunder

Verb

This came just a few short months after he was arrested on charges of OWI in Wisconsin back in July, and happened the same day he was booted from the Korn Ferry qualifier for signing an incorrect scorecard.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The Eagles lost in heartbreaking fashion to Jacksonville in the final seconds as Cam Little booted a 57-yard field goal to hand the Birds their third straight loss.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of boot

Verb

And maybe trips like this can help the nomad way of life survive.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
Up until tonight, Raman has done a good job of communicating a message of hope and change, while Bass, as the incumbent, has repeatedly tripped on her record over the biblically bad four years of her first term.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of trip

Browse Nearby Words

fulsome

fumble

fumbled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fumble

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on fumble

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes