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
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Andrea Pinamonti’s sublime strike helped Sassuolo fight back to win 2-1 as Cagliari fumbled a precious lead.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Storm had the Inter&Co Stadium crowd of 11,127 people on their feet early after Columbus fumbled the opening kickoff and safety Josh Minkins jumped on it to give the Storm their initial possession inside the 30-yard line.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
As the years went by, judges complained that the city’s in-house lawyers had fumbled key casework.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
In the second inning, well before his ninth-inning blunder, Burger fumbled an infield pop-up from García with two outs.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Tony Award nominee Christopher Jackson stepped up to the mic at Citi Field for the New York Mets’ opening night game — and fumbled one of the most iconic lines in the song.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
The lawyer suggested the doctors at the Meadows fumbled Spacey’s treatment because their program was geared toward addiction.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 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
In the 88th minute, Neuer fumbled a routine shot and allowed Joselu to equalise.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Andrea Pinamonti’s sublime strike helped Sassuolo fight back to win 2-1 as Cagliari fumbled a precious lead.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Storm had the Inter&Co Stadium crowd of 11,127 people on their feet early after Columbus fumbled the opening kickoff and safety Josh Minkins jumped on it to give the Storm their initial possession inside the 30-yard line.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
As the years went by, judges complained that the city’s in-house lawyers had fumbled key casework.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
In the second inning, well before his ninth-inning blunder, Burger fumbled an infield pop-up from García with two outs.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Tony Award nominee Christopher Jackson stepped up to the mic at Citi Field for the New York Mets’ opening night game — and fumbled one of the most iconic lines in the song.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
The lawyer suggested the doctors at the Meadows fumbled Spacey’s treatment because their program was geared toward addiction.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
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Even young Oklahoma City required a clumsy postseason audition.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The driver and his accomplice then mounted a clumsy getaway that resulted in their scooter crashing about three blocks from the scene, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Manuel Fernandes’ goal, created by West Ham’s outstanding talisman Jarrod Bowen, was a warning, a knock on the door before the hosts blew United’s house down.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Roker blew Guthrie a kiss from the weather wall.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Inside Inter Miami’s latest episode discusses how the new stadium looked, felt and how the operational logistics played out during its premiere last Saturday with reactions from team owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
From this distance, the moon looked about as big as a basketball held at arm's length, NASA officials said during the Artemis 2 livestream.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An Easter Sunday celebration at a Long Beach, California park took a disturbing turn when a person searching for hidden eggs stumbled upon a human skull partially buried in dense brush.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
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In trading Angel Reese yesterday, this franchise stumbled upon a crossroad.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Mary Washington’s Kye Robinson attempted an awkward, off-balance shot that missed the rim and landed in the hands of teammate Colin Mitchell under the basket.—
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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Porsha shuts down any further messy conversations, choosing instead to focus on being a good host, ending the night with an awkward kiss with her fake boyfriend.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Critics also complain that Dodge, known for its muscle cars, muffed its transition to hybrid power systems.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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But early in the second half, with the Seahawks leading 17-13, Smith muffed another kick and the Seahawks recovered the ball.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The fans who stuck out during yet another frigid April night started booing before Lovelady even reached the mound.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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An abrupt increase with lasting impacts The ceasefire reached earlier this week stemmed some fears that the conflict could drastically deepen or even come to a resolution sooner than later.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In one video, a horse tripped on a curb and fell over, toppling its rider before running off.—
Nick Sullivan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
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Wembanyama had tripped over his shoelace, the referees determined.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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