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
ABC News,
22 June 2026
After South Korea’s goalkeeper fumbled a ball, Luis Romo scored the goal that gave the Mexicans six points and pushed them to the top of the standings.
—
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
OnlyFans fumbled a previous version of this dilemma.
—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
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
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, Tampa Bay fumbled scoring opportunities in five of the first seven innings and stranded five overall.
—
ABC News,
22 June 2026
After South Korea’s goalkeeper fumbled a ball, Luis Romo scored the goal that gave the Mexicans six points and pushed them to the top of the standings.
—
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
OnlyFans fumbled a previous version of this dilemma.
—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
-
The historic victory, the nation’s first ever in the World Cup, was overshadowed when the midfielder injured his leg in gruesome fashion following a clumsy challenge from Qatar’s Assim Madibo.
-
Better systems beat willpower as clumsy Chiron enters your 6th House of Work and Health, reminding you that mistakes teach faster than shame.
Verb
-
Messi somehow blew a penalty kick in the eighth minute, when teammate Lautaro Martinez was brought down by Austrian defender Stefan Posch.
-
Several hours before the whistle blew on the pitch, Norwegian fans flocked to Times Square in the heart of New York City to give their squad a proper sendoff.
Verb
-
Within days of using it, my skin felt softer, looked more hydrated, and even began healing itself again.
-
Other rankings have looked at median incomes, which are often lower.
Verb
-
Once seen as the Fox News for the next generation of conservatives, the Daily Wire has stumbled over the last several years.
-
Through a connection, Jobs stumbled upon what was then the computer animation division of Star Wars creator George Lucas’ production company Lucasfilm and was immediately impressed, wrote Walter Isaacson in his biography of the Apple cofounder.
Adjective
-
Your 2nd House of Finances hits an awkward angle as the nurturing Moon quincunxes ambitious Mars in your 9th House of Travel and Learning.
-
But that doesn’t mean there still aren’t some awkward moments.
Verb
-
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.
-
Anisimova got to within two points of the finish again, with Parry serving at 5-6, but then muffed a short, low backhand long.
Verb
-
Most access points are reached from the west side, coming through Meeker, and Grimes noted that despite the isolation, the gravel roads are well-maintained, meaning a passenger vehicle should get you to most trailheads.
-
No deal was reached by the Thursday evening deadline for the union to withdraw the proposal from the November ballot.
Verb
-
On occasion, reporters quite literally tripped and fell over tripods and camera setups while the unfazed athletes answered a line of seemingly never-ending rapid-fire questions.
-
Pulisic left that game with an injury to his right leg after being tripped by Australian defender Jason Geria.
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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