as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
my future father-in-law shook his head over my fumbled attempt to compliment his daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blew
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 looked
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 stumbled
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 fumbled
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Franklin fumbled on the Broncos’ first possession against the New York Jets in London.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Things didn’t go perfectly for Henderson, who fumbled near the goal line in the fourth quarter when the game was already out of hand.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
In the first quarter alone, Daniels fumbled once, maybe fumbled another time before going into the end zone but review couldn’t overturn it, and was the beneficiary of two dropped interceptions.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Then Robinson fumbled and Tyrel Dodson recovered deep in Dolphins’ territory.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Onana then fumbled a low cross from the right by Yasin Ayari, with the ball falling to the feet of Georginio Rutter.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
In the preseason opener, Mahomes was on the field for three snaps after the Chiefs recovered a fumbled kickoff to open the game.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
He was sacked seven times and fumbled twice with both loose balls being recovered by the Bills’ defense.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Franklin fumbled on the Broncos’ first possession against the New York Jets in London.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Things didn’t go perfectly for Henderson, who fumbled near the goal line in the fourth quarter when the game was already out of hand.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
In the first quarter alone, Daniels fumbled once, maybe fumbled another time before going into the end zone but review couldn’t overturn it, and was the beneficiary of two dropped interceptions.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Then Robinson fumbled and Tyrel Dodson recovered deep in Dolphins’ territory.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Onana then fumbled a low cross from the right by Yasin Ayari, with the ball falling to the feet of Georginio Rutter.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
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What resulted is one of the most comic, counterproductive, and clumsy episodes in the long history of British efforts to deal with Ireland.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
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So, how did Musk go from a champion of the internet’s go-to reference resource to this clumsy attempt at killing it?—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The crowd at the Rogers Centre nearly blew the roof off the place as Bichette jogged around the bases.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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The retail giant was by far the strongest force lifting the S&P 500 after reporting profit for the latest quarter that blew past analysts’ expectations.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Blue Ivy Carter looked all grown up at the 27th Annual Angel Ball in New York City.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Jackson looked unsettled in the first half.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But even on a night where Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards scored 31, no one was better than Dončić, who only stumbled when the Lakers tried to get him to 50 points.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Abdi stumbled, and only kept himself upright by leaning with both hands on his cane.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Insert one very awkward stalemate between the pair here.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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Lisa Frankenstein centers on awkward and antisocial high schooler Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) after the violent demise of her mother.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Oklahoma’s special teams muffed a punt against Michigan in Week 2, then allowed a punt return touchdown to Texas in the fourth quarter.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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When center fielder Bryce Teodosio muffed Doyle’s single, Goodman scored the go-ahead run.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The city of Little Rock has reached an agreement with police officers and sergeants to extend a union agreement through 2027, according to a news release issued Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Oct. 2025
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Only 23 other players NHL players have reached that game total, and only seven others — legends, each one — have hit that mark with a single franchise.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On Canal Street on Thursday morning, lost tourists tripped over commuters hustling out of the subway, the grates on the souvenir stores went up, but most of the street vendors were still missing.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
23 Oct. 2025
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Prodded by a fan question about bloopers while reading a story on air, asked by Bravo host Andy Cohen, Daly recalled how working with a teleprompter and a big name like Leonardo DiCaprio tripped him up.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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