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
ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Critics say the Epstein files show how Republican and Democratic administrations alike fumbled the Epstein investigation over two decades, leaving potential coconspirators uncharged.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
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
The Storm had the Inter&Co Stadium crowd of 11,127 people on their feet early after Columbus fumbled the opening kickoff and safety Josh Minkins jumped on it to give the Storm their initial possession inside the 30-yard line.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
As the years went by, judges complained that the city’s in-house lawyers had fumbled key casework.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
In the second inning, well before his ninth-inning blunder, Burger fumbled an infield pop-up from García with two outs.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Tony Award nominee Christopher Jackson stepped up to the mic at Citi Field for the New York Mets’ opening night game — and fumbled one of the most iconic lines in the song.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
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
Trailing to Jule Brand's 19th-minute goal for record eight-time champion Lyon, Arsenal was gifted an equalizer in the 59th when Mariona Caldentey's low free kick into the area was fumbled backward by goalkeeper Christiane Endler and onto the post.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Critics say the Epstein files show how Republican and Democratic administrations alike fumbled the Epstein investigation over two decades, leaving potential coconspirators uncharged.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
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
The Storm had the Inter&Co Stadium crowd of 11,127 people on their feet early after Columbus fumbled the opening kickoff and safety Josh Minkins jumped on it to give the Storm their initial possession inside the 30-yard line.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
As the years went by, judges complained that the city’s in-house lawyers had fumbled key casework.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
In the second inning, well before his ninth-inning blunder, Burger fumbled an infield pop-up from García with two outs.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Tony Award nominee Christopher Jackson stepped up to the mic at Citi Field for the New York Mets’ opening night game — and fumbled one of the most iconic lines in the song.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
-
Our hands soon became insensitive, clumsy hooks.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The production is a revival of the disappointingly fussy, clumsy, old-fashioned one by Lee Blakeley the company unveiled in 2013 for Conlon and to celebrate the Verdi bicentennial.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the Magic blew the comfortable lead and the game and head into Game 7 on Sunday in Detroit on the verge of an epic playoff collapse.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
But Anderson’s deal, which averages $50 million in new money for three years, blew those numbers out of the water.—
Jonathan M. Alexander,
Houston Chronicle,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
For one night, the Mets looked like the team they’re supposed to be.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Magic superstar Tracy McGrady was playing at an MVP level, and Orlando looked faster, freer and flat-out better.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After starting the season with the sixth-best odds to win the World Series, the Red Sox had stumbled out of the gate to a 10-17 record.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The president briefly stumbled before being assisted to a secure suite reserved for him behind the stage.—
Calvin Woodward,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Cavaliere made headlines earlier this year by banning Chappell Roan from ever performing at the concert after the singer had an awkward encounter with the stepdaughter of Brazilian soccer player Jorginho.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is one of Washington’s enduring, if somewhat awkward, rituals.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Critics also complain that Dodge, known for its muscle cars, muffed its transition to hybrid power systems.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
-
But early in the second half, with the Seahawks leading 17-13, Smith muffed another kick and the Seahawks recovered the ball.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When maintenance issues reached a crisis point with sewage overflow in 2023, residents turned to the attorney general to intervene.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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Per Disney, the first episode has reached 11 million viewers across all platforms in its first 35 days of availability.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It’s been all Atleti, but now Arsenal has been awarded a penalty after Eberechi Eze is tripped.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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Space heaters provided heat, but the sloths were kept in the cold for at least one night after a fuse tripped.—
Ryan Brennan
April 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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