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
Relevance
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
Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
But Jaylen Petty fumbled the outlet pass after the steal, and UCF (17-4, 6-3 Big 12) recovered to set up Fulks’ jumper to go up by two possessions.
—Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
Dosunmu plucked the ball away after it was fumbled by Norman Powell, who crashed to the ground as Matas Buzelis blew past him.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Aside from the diamond seats—which are limited to the two highest trims—I’ve fumbled to find anything to write home about in the refreshed Pilot.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
Scott’s fumbled attempts to curtail outside influence on his agency raised further concerns at DHS headquarters about his leadership.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Payton fumbled on the second play from scrimmage, and the Patriots recovered at the Bears' 19-yard line.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
On the initial call, Nantz was unsure if Stidham fumbled.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
To do so, the Patriots must keep enough heat off Drake Maye, who has taken 10 sacks and fumbled six times in the playoffs.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 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
But Jaylen Petty fumbled the outlet pass after the steal, and UCF (17-4, 6-3 Big 12) recovered to set up Fulks' jumper to go up by two possessions.
—Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
But Jaylen Petty fumbled the outlet pass after the steal, and UCF (17-4, 6-3 Big 12) recovered to set up Fulks’ jumper to go up by two possessions.
—Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
Dosunmu plucked the ball away after it was fumbled by Norman Powell, who crashed to the ground as Matas Buzelis blew past him.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Aside from the diamond seats—which are limited to the two highest trims—I’ve fumbled to find anything to write home about in the refreshed Pilot.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
Scott’s fumbled attempts to curtail outside influence on his agency raised further concerns at DHS headquarters about his leadership.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Payton fumbled on the second play from scrimmage, and the Patriots recovered at the Bears' 19-yard line.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
On the initial call, Nantz was unsure if Stidham fumbled.
—Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
To do so, the Patriots must keep enough heat off Drake Maye, who has taken 10 sacks and fumbled six times in the playoffs.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
-
Isabel, sitting in a driving-range stall, is nearly hit with a ball when a clumsy golfer clangs it off a metal railing.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The results are often enervating though sometimes clumsy.—
Eli Enis,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Organizers handed out plastic whistles, which participants blew as music blared from a van.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
When the full-time whistle blew at the Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Matthias Jaissle was wild-eyed.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Fluffy, with a golden exterior and pale white interior, this cake looked impressive even before digging in.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The league looked into the matter and did not find enough evidence to sanction Rozier and has since noted Rozier cooperated with that probe.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
New York — A nervous mood swept through markets Tuesday as stocks stumbled and bitcoin hit its lowest level since November 2024.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The Predators again stumbled out of the gates this season before finding their footing to get back in the playoff race.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Scenes around the dinner table are awkward to say the least, but Meg has a big supporter in bestie Penny (Sophia Torres) and a burning desire to bring this show to life against all odds.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
All four athletes stood together, smiling for photos through an undeniably awkward situation.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
The plea followed a similar agreement reached months earlier by his brother, Ovidio Guzmán López, on trafficking and money-laundering charges.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification released a new report saying that acute malnutrition has reached famine levels in two more towns in Darfur.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Giroux skated in on goal, was tripped by Erik Karlsson and went hard into the post.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
May was right that Fears tripped Lendeborg, a dirty play that should have resulted in a flagrant foul.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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