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
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
The Spurs had one more chance, but Stephon Castle fumbled the inbounds pass and pandemonium at Madison Square Garden followed.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Maye tossed eight interceptions and fumbled eight times last season.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
During Miami’s two periods of special teams work Malik Washington fumbled his first kickoff return, but most of the other punt returners and kickoff returned fielded their attempts well.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
Given how badly Karen Bass has fumbled as mayor, Raman couldn’t do much worse.
—Sal Rodriguez, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Second baseman Luis Arraez had a chance to turn a double play on Montgomery’s grounder but fumbled the ball and had to settle for one out.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
In doing so, the TV adaptation fumbled the comics’ superior final act, turning Butcher’s own ignominious death at the hands of Hughie into an ineffective afterthought.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 May 2026
But Arsenal rallied while City fumbled, leading to scenes of delirium yesterday in London, where tens of thousands partied through the night in the club’s home borough of Islington.
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 20 May 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
Before that, when the Jets could have taken the lead on their opening drive, Allen fumbled on the Dolphins’ 1-yard line.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
The Spurs had one more chance, but Stephon Castle fumbled the inbounds pass and pandemonium at Madison Square Garden followed.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Maye tossed eight interceptions and fumbled eight times last season.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
During Miami’s two periods of special teams work Malik Washington fumbled his first kickoff return, but most of the other punt returners and kickoff returned fielded their attempts well.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
Given how badly Karen Bass has fumbled as mayor, Raman couldn’t do much worse.
—Sal Rodriguez, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Second baseman Luis Arraez had a chance to turn a double play on Montgomery’s grounder but fumbled the ball and had to settle for one out.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
In doing so, the TV adaptation fumbled the comics’ superior final act, turning Butcher’s own ignominious death at the hands of Hughie into an ineffective afterthought.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 May 2026
But Arsenal rallied while City fumbled, leading to scenes of delirium yesterday in London, where tens of thousands partied through the night in the club’s home borough of Islington.
—Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
-
This layout makes the monitor a natural fit for high-traffic environments like banking counters, medical reception desks, and service queues where traditional screen-sharing is often clumsy or compromises privacy.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 June 2026
-
The clumsy third inning from the defense didn’t help Tong, who threw 27 pitches in the frame.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Once the opening whistle blew, all the focus turned to the field.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
-
After someone blew a hole in the Nord Stream Pipeline deep under the Baltic Sea in September 2022, the global media debated a geopolitical whodunnit.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The Coast Guard and partner search and rescue crews looked for him by air and sea, covering around 529 square miles, the statement said.—
Sofia Saric
June 16,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
Marsch has never looked more animated than during Millar’s game-saving block.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Because the 59-year-old MAGA actor has stumbled into a debate that’s been vexing DC fans for more than six decades.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
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The memorial effort dragged for years as the private onePulse Foundation, originally tasked to create it, stumbled and then collapsed amid excessive ambition that produced a plan for a $100 million memorial and museum the group had no ability to fund.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The awkward situation that Thiago is talking about involves receiving the ball with his back to a player who is closing him down at speed from behind.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Almost nine years after their awkward handshake at the 2017 Bastille Day military parade, the two men politely shook hands and expressed their affinity for each other.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The Cubs players continued to taunt Ruth at every opportunity, and a big one came their way in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jurges slashed a sinking liner into right field and the lumbering, top-heavy Babe muffed a shoestring catch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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Anisimova got to within two points of the finish again, with Parry serving at 5-6, but then muffed a short, low backhand long.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be part of the final deal, to be reached within 60 days.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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But once the official festivities reached capacity, many found a different way to join in.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Four years later in Italy, the waterworks went again, as those infernal penalty kicks tripped us up against West Germany in the semifinal.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
According to the family's lawsuit against DPD, Officer Verona Shaw tripped on the steps while entering the backyard.—
Alysia Burgio,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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