Synonyms of fumbles

fumbles 1 of 2

noun

plural of fumble

as in mistakes

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy

played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mistakes
• blunders
• errors
• stumbles
• miscues
• trips
• flubs
• gaffes
• bobbles
• missteps
• inaccuracies
• gaffs
• clangers
• screwups
• slips
• faults
• bricks
• lapses
• goofs
• slipups
• fluffs
• boobs
• oversights
• clinkers
• boo-boos
• pratfalls
• bloopers
• snafus
• howlers
• misunderstandings
• boners
• miscalculations
• misjudgments
• misstatements
• bloomers
• misinterpretations
• misreadings
• misconceptions
• foul-ups
• misconstructions
• misdescriptions
• misapprehensions
• misimpressions
• miscomprehensions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accuracies
• precisions
• exactitudes
• perfections
• infallibilities
• inerrancies

fumbles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of fumble

1

as in blows

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

• blows
• bungles
• murders
• dubs
• botches
• flubs
• boots
• ruins
• bobbles
• fluffs
• bumbles
• muffs
• mangles
• fouls up
• destroys
• spoils
• boggles
• screws up
• damages
• injures
• butchers
• goofs (up)
• blunders
• mars
• mucks up
• flaws
• messes (up)
• wrecks
• buggers (up)
• hurts
• foozles
• muddles
• impairs
• mutilates
• louses up
• bollixes (up)
• harms
• blights
• gums (up)
• blemishes
• vitiates
• mismanages
• mishandles
• piffles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reforms
• improves
• helps
• enhances
• rectifies
• refines
• remedies
• repairs
• ameliorates
• betters
• fixes
• doctors
• meliorates
• patches
• renovates
• revamps
• reconditions

2

as in gropes

to search for something blindly or uncertainly

the librarian fumbled for the light switch as she entered the dark room

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gropes
• looks
• reaches
• feels
• fishes
• scrabbles
• grabs
• snatches
• clutches
• hunts
• rakes
• seizes
• rummages
• captures
• seeks (out)
• casts about
• nabs
• nails
• rifles
• grabbles
• combs
• ransacks
• dredges
• scours
• gets
• corrals
• digs (through)

3

as in stumbles

to make a mistake

just when it looked like he was going to get away with the ruse, he fumbled

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stumbles
• trips
• blunders
• flubs
• nods
• mistakes
• fluffs
• errs
• fouls up
• slips up
• lays an egg
• drops the ball
• screws up
• boobs
• misunderstands
• goofs (up)
• bungles
• botches
• murders
• messes (up)
• louses up
• muffs
• bobbles
• mangles
• misjudges
• miscalculates
• miscues
• mishandles
• miscounts
• misconceives
• misconstrues
• butchers
• misinterprets
• foozles
• misgauges
• misdeems

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fumbles

Noun

The Chargers have a plus-8 turnover ratio with 19 takeaways to go with 11 giveaways on six interceptions and five fumbles lost. — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Beyond pressuring quarterbacks and blowing up run plays behind the line of scrimmage, Harris has also forced three fumbles on the season. — Steven Johnson october 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Skattebo’s fumbles have been a cause for concern but probably not enough to warrant a benching. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Both fumbles were forced by Spartans safety Devin Vaught and returned 50-plus yards to the red zone. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

After a sluggish start that included their first two fumbles at home, the Bruins pulled away. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

That sets up what could be a wild night at Soldier Field, pitting a Bears defense that is known for turning the ball over against a Pats offense that has turned it over 13 times, including six of 11 fumbles lost. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

While Gutierrez has been productive, his performance has not been spotless, as he was tagged for two fumbles against both Tulsa and UAB. — Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026

Gilman recorded his share of takeaways with his original team, the Chargers, collecting five interceptions, forcing five fumbles and recovering six over six seasons in Los Angeles. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

So the associate who fumbles a membership conversation doesn’t need a lecture. — Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

DeLand was driving inside the 20 yard line and Taihj Moore fumbles, recovered by Lake Mary. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Buford scored 17 points off three Gainesville fumbles on punt plays. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Sims catches a hitch and turns up field but fumbles the ball while switching hands. — Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026

Tensions between the galley and the interior continue to escalate over lunch service, when a radio mishap fumbles the order in which the food should go out. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026

The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 May 2026

If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred. — Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026

The Seahawks are a high-turnover team on both sides of the ball, but the 49ers have forced just two takeaways in the season series — both fumbles in the opener. — Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026