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
Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Progressives fumbled their 2022 campaigns for the seat, when multiple candidates with left-wing credentials knocked each other out, letting Goldman prevail with just 26% of the vote.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Gipson fumbled away the kickoff after the Warren touchdown and the Steelers recovered, deep in Jets territory.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
First, Daniels fumbled the ball that KU recovered in its own end zone, leading to a safety and possession for MU.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Tommy Maher muffed one punt deep in his own territory and fumbled at the end of a long return on another.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
After leading 14-0 at halftime, Rancho Bernardo fumbled on their second-half opening drive before forcing Brawley to turn the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod fumbled after catching a pass on the Broncos’ first drive.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
Then the rookie fumbled late in the first quarter and absorbed a huge hit that prompted the concussion spotter to pull him off the field for an evaluation.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 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
There was no ninth-inning drama like Saturday in Baltimore, when Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the bullpen fumbled away a chance at a victory.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Progressives fumbled their 2022 campaigns for the seat, when multiple candidates with left-wing credentials knocked each other out, letting Goldman prevail with just 26% of the vote.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Gipson fumbled away the kickoff after the Warren touchdown and the Steelers recovered, deep in Jets territory.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
First, Daniels fumbled the ball that KU recovered in its own end zone, leading to a safety and possession for MU.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Tommy Maher muffed one punt deep in his own territory and fumbled at the end of a long return on another.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
After leading 14-0 at halftime, Rancho Bernardo fumbled on their second-half opening drive before forcing Brawley to turn the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod fumbled after catching a pass on the Broncos’ first drive.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
Then the rookie fumbled late in the first quarter and absorbed a huge hit that prompted the concussion spotter to pull him off the field for an evaluation.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
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The rubber sole is also important for clumsy gals like myself.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Camels seem slow, hippos clumsy, phoenixes unstable, lions lazy.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More Ramirez/Getty Images On Thursday, after his team blew a 4-0 first-inning lead to lose 6-4 in the Phillies series finale, Mendoza accepted blame for the team's current skid.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Sean Brock has been on a mission to create the perfect pizza after a meal at the pizza joint Savoy in Japan completely blew his mind.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The new displays and interior materials looked and felt good.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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On paper, the American team looked formidable, boasting Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and other stars.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Wildcats stumbled early but got hot in October, won 10 games, beat Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl and were one of the biggest surprises in the country.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Patriots stumbled at the start of the Mike Vrabel era last week, dropping a winnable game to the Raiders at home as favorites.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While there is little doubt about the outcome of the Fed meeting, there are still questions over who exactly will be voting—setting up some very awkward dynamics.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
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This leaves the broader discourse around Kirk’s assassination in an awkward position, deprived of the certainty that so many crave.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kicker Brady Denaburg missed a potentially game-tying, 51-yard field goal, and then U returner Koi Perich muffed bouncing punt in the shadow of the goalposts.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Sep. 2025
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Tommy Maher muffed one punt deep in his own territory and fumbled at the end of a long return on another.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Heading into 2025-26, nine players from Henrique’s 2008 draft class have reached 1,000 games.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Luis Matos, pinch-hitting for Drew Gilbert, reached base to start the inning when Betts made a throwing error.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to the police report following Trigg's death, the boy tripped while playing with an inflatable chair and was in the water for nearly seven minutes before being found by his father.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Finn simply tripped in an environment that was not set up to be safe for him.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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