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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Kennedy fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his phone, the source of the noise.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Herbert, who threw four interceptions in his last postseason appearance, fumbled five times after only coughing up the ball twice in his first 12 games this season.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Simpson fumbled in Indiana territory after a courageous first-down scramble late in the first half, and the Hoosiers methodically drove for Mendoza’s 1-yard TD pass with 17 seconds left to Cooper, the hero of Indiana’s dramatic victory over Penn State.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
The Owls fumbled again on their next drive at their 18, setting up a Texas State field goal to take a 27-7 lead.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
Instead of gaining a first down, Simpson fumbled on a hit by Hoosiers cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Alabama’s longest run came on a 9-yard scramble from Simpson, who then fumbled.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
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
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
Ball security The Hurricanes have fumbled the ball four times in the past two games and lost two of them — one apiece by Malachi Toney (first round against Texas A&M) and Fletcher (quarterfinal against Ohio State).
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Kennedy fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his phone, the source of the noise.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Herbert, who threw four interceptions in his last postseason appearance, fumbled five times after only coughing up the ball twice in his first 12 games this season.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Simpson fumbled in Indiana territory after a courageous first-down scramble late in the first half, and the Hoosiers methodically drove for Mendoza’s 1-yard TD pass with 17 seconds left to Cooper, the hero of Indiana’s dramatic victory over Penn State.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
The Owls fumbled again on their next drive at their 18, setting up a Texas State field goal to take a 27-7 lead.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
Instead of gaining a first down, Simpson fumbled on a hit by Hoosiers cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Alabama’s longest run came on a 9-yard scramble from Simpson, who then fumbled.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
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But in that moment, my 40 years of skiing experience evaporated, and the bulletproof snow and thick crowds transformed me into an anxious and clumsy mess.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Following the adventures of the titular sheep, the franchise’s latest takes place at Mossy Bottom Farm on Halloween Eve, watching as excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the curtain came down, Hilty waved and blew kisses to the crowd.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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LaFleur has one year remaining on his contract, and his job status came into question after the Packers blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead in Saturday night’s 31-27 playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ehrlich compared the situation to the labor upheaval professional leagues went through before finally settling on collective bargaining, which has been looked at as a potential solution by some in college sports over the past year.—
ANDREW DESTIN,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
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In the wake of the AT&T news, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson released a statement projecting optimism about Dallas’ future, as city leaders looked to move forward from the loss.—
Sasha Richie,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That was until about a month before Adams' wedding, when her mother, April, stumbled upon the outfit while cleaning out some boxes in storage.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Nick Woltemade came on, stumbled over his own feet and struggled for involvement.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The couple's appearance comes just days after Cher appeared on Shepard's Armchair Expert and dropped a few awkward moments with the hosts.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
This mind-melter from Charlie Kaufman centers on an enigmatic Buckley as the conflicted girlfriend of Jesse Plemons’s awkward Jake, who takes her to meet his incredibly strange parents (Toni Collette and David Thewlis).—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The sure-handed Doubs muffed the recovery with less than two minutes remaining and the Packers leading by 7.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Robinson muffed the second-half kickoff to pin the 49ers at their 12.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pedro lifted the cloth when the water reached a boil and the kitchen filled with fragrant vapor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
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The overarching theme is fraud that has reached estimates of $9 billion, according to federal prosecutors.—
Makenzi Henderson,
Twin Cities,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The pair embraced each other in the tunnel before kick-off, but shortly before half-time, Salah tripped Mane by the team benches, causing tensions to overflow.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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Dellandrea was injured in the Sharks’ game on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as his right leg struck the post after he was inadvertently tripped while driving to the net.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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