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
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Recent Examples of fumbles
Josh Kendall, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Had five interceptions for the Rockets over the past three seasons and also forced eight fumbles, including four in 2023 and three last year.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 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
As Trump fumbles with the Pandora’s Box he’s broken open, there’s no shortage of historical analogies to choose from.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Browner finished his career with 37 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and 17 fumble recoveries.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
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
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
Despite being moved around, Perkins consistently produced, leading the team in tackles for loss and forced fumbles in each of his three healthy seasons in Baton Rouge.
—Josh Kendall, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Had five interceptions for the Rockets over the past three seasons and also forced eight fumbles, including four in 2023 and three last year.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 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
As Trump fumbles with the Pandora’s Box he’s broken open, there’s no shortage of historical analogies to choose from.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Browner finished his career with 37 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and 17 fumble recoveries.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
Find the groups without making four mistakes.—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
Lahren opened the discussion by contrasting today’s climate with the past, noting that traditional PR cleanup has been replaced by a mass horde looking to end lives over minor mistakes.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
As the incumbent mayor, Bass had to weather blows from her challengers while trying to sell voters on her fitness for another term, despite a disastrous 2025.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
During their stroll, Monroe stands over a subway grate as the whoosh of a passing train blows the skirt of her white halter dress up, a welcome respite from the sweltering heatwave that has gripped the city.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
6 May 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
-
As Laugier’s story continues, the man wanders through a forest, stumbles upon fallen branches, and has an epiphany.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory and mischief unfolds.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Although the mom of four appeared to spend the rest of her night faux pas-free, she's had to handle sartorial blunders before.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
There were other conspicuous blunders, like passing from midair out of jumpers and right to Lakers defenders.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
6 May 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
-
In person, Magyar gives every indication of being magnanimous and down-to-earth, smiling easily, thanking everyone profusely, and treating his son with what looks like authentic affection, even when the cameras aren’t rolling.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
January 20 – February 18 Something clicks today, and suddenly the future looks much brighter.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
And, there's such a thing as guys trips only.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Plus, the amount of walking that Japan trips require is no joke.—
Elaina Verhoff,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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