as in mistakes
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fumbles
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Mack left Chicago having totaled 36 sacks, 35 tackles for a loss, 52 quarterback hits, 14 forced fumbles and two interceptions in 53 games over four seasons.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
The defense forced six turnovers – three fumbles and three interceptions, including the second of the game by Jamal Abdelkarim that ended Irvine’s futile final drive with 23 seconds remaining at midfield.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025
The Buffaloes' defense recovered two fumbles and intercepted Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King in the first quarter.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Ethan Le and Timoy Duncan recovered fumbles.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
The fumbles weren’t the only problem area.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
The first quarter was full of struggles for both teams — both had fumbles and turnovers to start the game.
—Erik Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
For a Dolphins team that forced just eight fumbles all of last season, Awuzie would certainly be able to boost those numbers.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
Despite all the fumbles and mishaps of teaching journalism to a very green staff of (mostly) volunteers, season 1 of The Paper ends on a high note with the Toledo Truth Teller being nominated for three awards.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Mack left Chicago having totaled 36 sacks, 35 tackles for a loss, 52 quarterback hits, 14 forced fumbles and two interceptions in 53 games over four seasons.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
The defense forced six turnovers – three fumbles and three interceptions, including the second of the game by Jamal Abdelkarim that ended Irvine’s futile final drive with 23 seconds remaining at midfield.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025
The Buffaloes' defense recovered two fumbles and intercepted Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King in the first quarter.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Ethan Le and Timoy Duncan recovered fumbles.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
The fumbles weren’t the only problem area.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
The first quarter was full of struggles for both teams — both had fumbles and turnovers to start the game.
—Erik Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
For a Dolphins team that forced just eight fumbles all of last season, Awuzie would certainly be able to boost those numbers.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
Lake Mary’s O’Shea Faison fumbles after picking up the first down yardage.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbles
Noun
-
Until then, don’t make these three common pruning mistakes.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The Chiefs piled up uncharacteristic mistakes, which began early when Kelce was moved off his route and collided with Worthy, causing Worthy to leave the game with a right shoulder injury.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Paul finds out and blows his top.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The mechanism blows inert gas across the fusion zone, preventing oxidation during the printing process.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the video, a woman exposes herself and an officer, identified by investigators as Herman, gropes her, police said in a statement last year.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The dejected actor stumbles over to a marketplace to buy a drink, shoplift a lighter, and strike out with a lottery ticket.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
3 Sep. 2025
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Every founder stumbles—some in a very public fashion.—
Samantha Reynolds,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Both André Onana and Altay Bayındır have been used in the three games this season and both have made blunders that have led to conceded goals.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
-
However, this team often gives opponents an extra out or two by not making the plays it should, throwing to the wrong base or making base-running blunders.—
Jim Bowden,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
According to this information, the battery on the iPhone 17 Pro looks to be an impressive upgrade.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The departure of so many high earners will also have helped reduce the wage bill, but City’s two-part rebuild looks to have been more or less completed, barring one or two additions if injuries strike.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Education Secretary went out on the Harbor for a short sailing demonstration with two counselors and O’Bryant High students Tuesday, overcoming some motion sickness to hear about the mechanics of the boat, Friday trips out to the Harbor islands, and sailing in storms.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
20 Aug. 2025
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This is a huge bonus for a clumsy gal like myself, who often trips over air.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Other discipline errors snowballed after that.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Alcaraz finished with 30 unforced errors, the same total as his opponent.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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