as in mistakes
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fumbles
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
24 June 2026
Despite a record-flirting sack season and excellent production against the run in 2025, the Broncos tied for the second-fewest fumbles recovered of any NFL defense last year.
—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Pass rusher Nik Bonitto forced two fumbles by attacking Allen’s elbow.
—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Such livestreams can convey seemingly greater transparency than short videos by allowing viewers to see robotic flaws and fumbles in real time.
—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
Jedi-in-training Rey (Daisy Ridley), reluctant hero Finn (John Boyega) and X-wing warrior Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) lead the ragtag Resistance against a returning Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in a film that's full of logic fumbles and muddies the focus of the third and final trilogy.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Mired by the Texans’ smothering defense, Rodgers completed 17-of-33 passes for 146 yards, with no touchdowns, one interception and two fumbles.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Rodriguez is a turnover machine (four interceptions, seven forced fumbles last year) with outstanding instincts and feel in zone coverage.
—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
But his 10 career fumbles (Buffalo, New Mexico State and Arkansas) are a major concern.
—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
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
The Honda backs up a few feet as the agent fumbles at the door handle.
—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Texas kick returner Ryan Niblett gets blasted on a kick return and fumbles the ball, and Michigan takes advantage with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Kendrick Bell.
—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Dec. 2025
Toney fumbles Malachi Toney fumbled near midfield.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
For the one who fumbles with matches Sleek, sustainable, and a satisfying way to light candles.
—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
15 Nov. 2025
Noun
In the games so far, there have been quite a few fumbles and an apparent slackness of mind and limb.
—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
24 June 2026
Despite a record-flirting sack season and excellent production against the run in 2025, the Broncos tied for the second-fewest fumbles recovered of any NFL defense last year.
—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Pass rusher Nik Bonitto forced two fumbles by attacking Allen’s elbow.
—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Such livestreams can convey seemingly greater transparency than short videos by allowing viewers to see robotic flaws and fumbles in real time.
—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
Jedi-in-training Rey (Daisy Ridley), reluctant hero Finn (John Boyega) and X-wing warrior Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) lead the ragtag Resistance against a returning Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in a film that's full of logic fumbles and muddies the focus of the third and final trilogy.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Mired by the Texans’ smothering defense, Rodgers completed 17-of-33 passes for 146 yards, with no touchdowns, one interception and two fumbles.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Rodriguez is a turnover machine (four interceptions, seven forced fumbles last year) with outstanding instincts and feel in zone coverage.
—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
But his 10 career fumbles (Buffalo, New Mexico State and Arkansas) are a major concern.
—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
The Honda backs up a few feet as the agent fumbles at the door handle.
—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Texas kick returner Ryan Niblett gets blasted on a kick return and fumbles the ball, and Michigan takes advantage with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Kendrick Bell.
—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Dec. 2025
Toney fumbles Malachi Toney fumbled near midfield.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
For the one who fumbles with matches Sleek, sustainable, and a satisfying way to light candles.
—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
15 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbles
Noun
-
The team's mistakes cost the players early on when Germany scored in the 2nd minute to earn the lead.
-
Sure, a lot of the mistakes or poor moments in defense can be waved away by recognizing that most of the team’s best defenders were sitting on the bench when the Turks wheeled away in delight with Ayhan’s goal.
Verb
-
More likely Brock Lesnar blows this thing up.
-
Cher’s court documents paint a bleak picture of how Allman, 49, allegedly blows through his $120,000 annual trust distributions.
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.
Verb
-
In it, the man stumbles around, blinded by the sun, surrounded by insensible tourists.
-
The conversation stumbles on for a few moments, but Crook can’t find the words.
Noun
-
Colorado's rally offset a pair of baserunning blunders that ended the eighth.
-
Once again, Towns, who hadn’t gotten into foul trouble in what felt like a basketball eternity, pulled off a series of blunders, picking up two fouls in the game’s opening 62 seconds.
Verb
-
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.
Verb
-
There’s no denying that Lola Tung has impeccable style—I’m constantly referencing her fierce street style looks—so copying her accessory of choice feels like a safe move.
-
Sugar is at the forensic lab with the corpse of a man who looks an awful lot like Ji Moon but isn’t Ji Moon (courtesy of Shea Whigham as Tom Flybjerg).
Verb
-
Early on in the clip, Jake Johnson’s former tennis star Dusty Boyd trips over the net and injures his wrist in a bad way.
-
Longer trips sail to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
