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
Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Awkward bathroom stall fumbles aside (and that’s only really a grind when in layers), a jumpsuit is such a practical must-have for any wide-ranging trip.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
McDuffie has defended 34 passes, made two interceptions and forced eight fumbles in 56 career regular-season games.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
The Chiefs lost just three fumbles a year ago and that tied for the fewest in the NFL.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
During four seasons with the Chiefs, McDuffie forced eight fumbles, three interceptions and broke up 34 passes.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Sports fans may forgive interceptions and fumbles.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
New England quarterback Drake Maye had seven fumbles in the postseason and lost four.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Darnold threw the most interceptions in the NFL when under pressure this season and had a dozen fumbles.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Sonny feels like a departure; unlike Bernthal’s mercenaries, Sonny fumbles with his gun, has a bleeding heart, and lays his vulnerabilities bare.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Feb. 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
The premise has the potential for slapstick silliness, as an incompetent Seoul family fumbles its way through opening a hunting lodge in the Korean countryside.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
There’s a time and place for trying to force fumbles.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Awkward bathroom stall fumbles aside (and that’s only really a grind when in layers), a jumpsuit is such a practical must-have for any wide-ranging trip.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
McDuffie has defended 34 passes, made two interceptions and forced eight fumbles in 56 career regular-season games.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
The Chiefs lost just three fumbles a year ago and that tied for the fewest in the NFL.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
During four seasons with the Chiefs, McDuffie forced eight fumbles, three interceptions and broke up 34 passes.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Sports fans may forgive interceptions and fumbles.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
New England quarterback Drake Maye had seven fumbles in the postseason and lost four.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Darnold threw the most interceptions in the NFL when under pressure this season and had a dozen fumbles.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Sonny feels like a departure; unlike Bernthal’s mercenaries, Sonny fumbles with his gun, has a bleeding heart, and lays his vulnerabilities bare.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Feb. 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
The premise has the potential for slapstick silliness, as an incompetent Seoul family fumbles its way through opening a hunting lodge in the Korean countryside.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbles
Noun
-
Critical, independent and common-sense thinking was essential to deal with our evolution, to include those time when grave mistakes were made and great leaders had to make tough decisions to course-correct.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Notre Dame’s Lachlan Clark made no mistakes other than giving up the home run.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The wind buffets and blows inside the cabin, decreasing downforce and making acceleration less efficient.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That blows past the ad’s prediction by more than $10.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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
-
Bleeding heavily, Waaler stumbles into a corridor and slowly takes his last breath as Hole, who jumped out at the floor above and ran back downstairs, watches, gun in hand.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
-
If the student stumbles, the AI agent gives them clues, along with criticism and positive feedback.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the years across Illinois, there has been a litany of agency miscues, blunders and downright neglect, including several in Lake County.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The sufferings caused by a statesman’s blunders are larger than the benefits produced by his accomplishments.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The last week of March heads into April with one of the most important sci-fi franchises of all time, plus a French drama that looks cool and the latest John Wick flick.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Black versions feel especially edgy yet still have a lightness that looks amazing with skinny pants.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nor is the scene in which Cory trips on mushrooms on Hollywood Boulevard (which is probably true of half the people walking there).—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Mar. 2026
-
That's honestly great news for tailors and anyone who regularly trips over their own feet.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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