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
Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Charlotte forced two fumbles in the first half, with defensive linemen Caleb Irving and linebacker Reid Williford punching the ball out to stop the bleeding early in the action.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Oct. 2025
Where the movie fumbles is taking its foot off the gas, so to speak.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Henry’s two fourth-quarter fumbles figured prominently in two losses.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
In his first nine full NFL seasons, Henry lost 10 fumbles, and just one last year.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Henry had only lost two rushing fumbles in the fourth quarter or overtime in his previous nine seasons.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
The Patriots haven’t pinned the blame squarely on Stevenson or Gibson for their fumbles.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
His first start in relief of Joe Burrow could not have gone worse, though Cincinnati's three second-quarter fumbles -- which gifted Minnesota a 34-3 halftime lead -- were not his fault.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
While both teams were in position to flip some results, the Ravens have to feel a little snakebitten with how their games have played out, including a couple of fourth-quarter Derrick Henry fumbles.
—Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Baltimore is smarting from that Monday home loss to Deroit -- but Crows would be 3-0 if not for a pair of Derrick Henry fumbles.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Drake London fumbles the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
Lake Mary’s O’Shea Faison fumbles after picking up the first down yardage.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
In the first half alone, FIU lost two fumbles — Devonte Lyons had the other one — had one pass intercepted and one punt deflected.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Charlotte forced two fumbles in the first half, with defensive linemen Caleb Irving and linebacker Reid Williford punching the ball out to stop the bleeding early in the action.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Oct. 2025
Where the movie fumbles is taking its foot off the gas, so to speak.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Henry’s two fourth-quarter fumbles figured prominently in two losses.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
In his first nine full NFL seasons, Henry lost 10 fumbles, and just one last year.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Henry had only lost two rushing fumbles in the fourth quarter or overtime in his previous nine seasons.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
The Patriots haven’t pinned the blame squarely on Stevenson or Gibson for their fumbles.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
His first start in relief of Joe Burrow could not have gone worse, though Cincinnati's three second-quarter fumbles -- which gifted Minnesota a 34-3 halftime lead -- were not his fault.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
Iain also makes a good-looking tart with raspberries and white chocolate (gag) on the top but then somehow fumbles it while trying to put it on his display stand.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
While both teams were in position to flip some results, the Ravens have to feel a little snakebitten with how their games have played out, including a couple of fourth-quarter Derrick Henry fumbles.
—Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Baltimore is smarting from that Monday home loss to Deroit -- but Crows would be 3-0 if not for a pair of Derrick Henry fumbles.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Drake London fumbles the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
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
-
However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
From a potentially serious injury sustained by linebacker Dwight Nunoo to a multitude of mistakes, Saturday’s 51-10 loss to the host Connecticut Huskies (4-2) was devastating to FIU (2-3).—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Vandy isn’t going to line up and trade blows with Alabama.—
Matt Hayes,
USA TODAY,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Dallas Cowboys were part of an instant classic on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers, trading blows all game before the matchup ultimately went into overtime and ended in a 40-40 tie.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 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
-
But there have been some career stumbles recently, a superhero disappointment in particular, that must have complicated Johnson’s conception of his remarkable career.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Wallen then stumbles to his feet in the middle of the road, as rain pours down, with close-up images showing Wallen in tattered clothes and covered in scrapes and cuts.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Again, special teams blunders set the defense up in poor position, but the defense ultimately coughed up big gains on the ground.—
Mike Kaye
September 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Just as Russ is about to reach the pinnacle of college athletic achievement, a pair of blunders torpedo the season, his public image and his future professional career.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 2025-26 title race looks likely to be contested between Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, which is what most people predicted before the season started.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
While those issues have dominated Sheinbaum’s first year in office, the issue that looks likeliest to dominate her second year is Mexico’s co-hosting of the 2026 soccer World Cup with the United States and Canada.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to a recent holiday travel report from Google Flights, the average price of airline tickets tends to be at its lowest for domestic Thanksgiving trips 39 days before departure.—
Michelle Baran,
AFAR Media,
29 Sep. 2025
-
There are ghosts and spirits, horror episodes, trips back into the ‘70s, the odd touch of a Western.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Even when Charlotte did have momentum, there were unforced errors, penalties, and turnovers that resulted in more South Florida points.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Even the slightest variation can cause errors in quantum computers, sensors, or communications systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share