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
George Avalos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
The city fumbled the rollout of the parks bond and now the residents are paying — in both money and exasperation, Inserra noted.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
As print and television media fumbled their way online, Gawker used the internet to pull back the curtain on celebrity, mainstream media, politics and creeping commercialism.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
In its bid to get out in front of the FCC’s inquiry, however, the NFL may have fumbled its advantage over CBS.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
First MacKenzie Weegar fumbled the puck straight to Jack Eichel for a breakaway.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Trailing to Jule Brand's 19th-minute goal for record eight-time champion Lyon, Arsenal was gifted an equalizer in the 59th when Mariona Caldentey's low free kick into the area was fumbled backward by goalkeeper Christiane Endler and onto the post.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Critics say the Epstein files show how Republican and Democratic administrations alike fumbled the Epstein investigation over two decades, leaving potential coconspirators uncharged.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 22 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
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
The attempt to create a viable and vibrant residential hub arrives after years of neglect and fumbled strategies by the prior owner, an affiliate of Z&L Properties.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
The city fumbled the rollout of the parks bond and now the residents are paying — in both money and exasperation, Inserra noted.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
As print and television media fumbled their way online, Gawker used the internet to pull back the curtain on celebrity, mainstream media, politics and creeping commercialism.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
In its bid to get out in front of the FCC’s inquiry, however, the NFL may have fumbled its advantage over CBS.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
First MacKenzie Weegar fumbled the puck straight to Jack Eichel for a breakaway.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Trailing to Jule Brand's 19th-minute goal for record eight-time champion Lyon, Arsenal was gifted an equalizer in the 59th when Mariona Caldentey's low free kick into the area was fumbled backward by goalkeeper Christiane Endler and onto the post.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Critics say the Epstein files show how Republican and Democratic administrations alike fumbled the Epstein investigation over two decades, leaving potential coconspirators uncharged.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 22 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
-
Although at least 20 players support some type of protest, the rollout of the boycott that never happened, came across a bit clumsy.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
For one, the Frenchie vision is just corny and clumsy, and so is the idea of Kimiko harnessing the power of love to defeat the bad guy without succumbing to vengeful rage.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The Avs blew a first-quarter lead.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
-
The timing is simply right for New York, while Cleveland had its best chance to change that in Game 1 — and blew it.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The walls of Franca’s store were lined with unlabeled bins and drawers full of bits and bobs that looked like the world’s most disorganized hardware store.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
For this anniversary edition, the design team at Smythson looked at the Beatrix Potter archive for illustrations, sketches and prints, translating them into key pieces include Panama notebooks in blue, green and chalk, gold-stamped with character motifs.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Love Island had shifted what had previously been an unshakable self-identification and stumbled into comic profundity.—
Anna Peele,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
-
The Dodgers might have stumbled upon a way to keep Shohei Ohtani performing well on the mound and at the plate this season.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps that is down to the 28-year-old’s awkward gait on the bike, all elbows and knees, not unlike Chris Froome, while his time trialling aerodynamics leave a lot to be desired.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
More comics journalism from Life Kit Still cringing about that awkward moment?—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
In the top of the second, with two runners on, David Hamilton hit a one-hop liner to center field that PCA simply muffed, allowing the ball to roll all the way to the wall and three runs to score.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Critics also complain that Dodge, known for its muscle cars, muffed its transition to hybrid power systems.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Vegas’ unprecedented success The Golden Knights have reached the NHL’s final four for the fifth time in nine seasons, the most of any team since 2017.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The Warriors last reached the state final four in 2024.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
As the video below shows, Allen tripped Thompson and committed a foul.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Warsh shares Miran's view that the Fed has gotten tripped in over analyzing micro-level prices, Warsh said at his April 21 confirmation hearing.—
Matt Peterson,Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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