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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fumbled
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Last season, Daniels fumbled the ball twice in the last five minutes.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
Tagovailoa has thrown 22 interceptions and fumbled 13 times in those 21 games — only three of the 13 were recovered by the other team —-- and the Dolphins are 8-13 during that stretch.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Later in the first half, Loftis fumbled in plus territory.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Of their first six offensive possessions, three were three-and-out, five ended in punts, and one — a promising jaunt to midfield late in the second quarter — hit a wall when Jalen Dupree fumbled at the Hawaii 41 after a 10-yard reception.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fumbled a handoff late in the fourth quarter and allowed the Bears’ defense to recover.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Coming off an open week, the Cardinal (2-4, 1-2) forced a three-and-out on defense to start the game, but Liam Thorpe fumbled the ensuing punt return to give possession back to the Mustangs (4-2, 2-0).
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
After Tennessee took its first lead, 20-17, on Max Gilbert’s 50-yard field goal early in the third quarter, Arkansas drove 61 yards to the Volunteers’ 29 but lost possession when running back Braylen Russell fumbled and Arion Carter recovered.
—Arkansas Online, 12 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
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
Last season, Daniels fumbled the ball twice in the last five minutes.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
Tagovailoa has thrown 22 interceptions and fumbled 13 times in those 21 games — only three of the 13 were recovered by the other team —-- and the Dolphins are 8-13 during that stretch.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Later in the first half, Loftis fumbled in plus territory.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Of their first six offensive possessions, three were three-and-out, five ended in punts, and one — a promising jaunt to midfield late in the second quarter — hit a wall when Jalen Dupree fumbled at the Hawaii 41 after a 10-yard reception.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fumbled a handoff late in the fourth quarter and allowed the Bears’ defense to recover.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Coming off an open week, the Cardinal (2-4, 1-2) forced a three-and-out on defense to start the game, but Liam Thorpe fumbled the ensuing punt return to give possession back to the Mustangs (4-2, 2-0).
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
After Tennessee took its first lead, 20-17, on Max Gilbert’s 50-yard field goal early in the third quarter, Arkansas drove 61 yards to the Volunteers’ 29 but lost possession when running back Braylen Russell fumbled and Arion Carter recovered.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
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Even the basic details of the situation can sound like the clumsy plot of some apocalyptic thriller.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
An exceptionally clumsy device.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After the final whistle blew at Memorial Stadium, Kiffin made some headlines for his postgame behavior toward an Oklahoma player.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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But as the team was celebrating, the officials on the field blew the play dead and gave Philadelphia the first down.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The new research puts that mystery to rest and can help paleontologists find, recognize and analyze future mummy finds for tiny clues into how giant dinosaurs really looked.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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On glam, Kardashian looked to Dimitris Giannetos for her sophisticated slickback bun, with bronzed makeup, and long black talon nails.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 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
-
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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Frederick Wherry, Kristin Seefeldt, and Anthony Alvarez examine the strategies potential lenders use to make these interactions less awkward.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Oct. 2025
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Talk about awkward reunions at unlikely places, if this does happen.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
26 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
-
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 28 Oct. 2025.
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