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
Matt Schooley, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The Bears won despite starting the game 1 of 5 on fourth down, failing to recover three fumbles by the Packers, and converting only 2 of 5 red zone opportunities for touchdowns.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
Two of those series took place inside Oregon territory after Ducks’ fumbles.
—The Athletic College Football, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The team also forced a league-high 13 fumbles and was tied for 10th in takeaways (21).
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Then came the dot-com crash, 9/11, the Enron scandal, and the 2008 financial crisis, not to mention some fumbles under Immelt, who never managed to recreate the aura of his predecessor.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Alas, Oladokun lost the first of his two fumbles two snaps later.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
Still, with the number of times Denver has hit and sacked quarterbacks, two fumbles forced and one recovered is difficult to square.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
The Mariners intercepted three more passes, and Landon Manley recovered two fumbles, the second on his strip sack at the Pacifica 19.
—Steve Dulas, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Dante Moore fumbles and loses 11 yards, knocking Oregon out of field goal range and forcing them to punt after the interception.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 1 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
As Lester fumbles for his bird whistle in the fountain to activate the camera, he gets thrown back in this tussle with Tillman and is killed.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
That included two fumbles near the goal line.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The Bears won despite starting the game 1 of 5 on fourth down, failing to recover three fumbles by the Packers, and converting only 2 of 5 red zone opportunities for touchdowns.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
Two of those series took place inside Oregon territory after Ducks’ fumbles.
—The Athletic College Football, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The team also forced a league-high 13 fumbles and was tied for 10th in takeaways (21).
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Then came the dot-com crash, 9/11, the Enron scandal, and the 2008 financial crisis, not to mention some fumbles under Immelt, who never managed to recreate the aura of his predecessor.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Alas, Oladokun lost the first of his two fumbles two snaps later.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
Still, with the number of times Denver has hit and sacked quarterbacks, two fumbles forced and one recovered is difficult to square.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
The Mariners intercepted three more passes, and Landon Manley recovered two fumbles, the second on his strip sack at the Pacifica 19.
—Steve Dulas, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
Dante Moore fumbles and loses 11 yards, knocking Oregon out of field goal range and forcing them to punt after the interception.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 1 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
As Lester fumbles for his bird whistle in the fountain to activate the camera, he gets thrown back in this tussle with Tillman and is killed.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbles
Noun
-
In Slow Horses — an adaptation of author Mick Herron's award-winning Slough House series — Oldman, 67, portrays Jackson Lamb, the leader of a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents whose career-ending mistakes landed them an unwanted spot at Slough House.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
This game was a defensive battle on both sides, as Hurts and Purdy had their fair share of mistakes, though the latter’s showed up in the box score.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On a recent morning in midtown Manhattan, Spike Lee blows on an imaginary pair of dice before hurling them to the ground.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Brunson fakes the swing to the right corner, blows past VJ Edgecombe, gets both feet into the paint, draws two defenders and finds OG Anunoby in the left corner.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
4 Jan. 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
-
Ennin gets up and stumbles down the block before collapsing next to a building.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
There’s a fine line between righteousness and self-satisfaction, and the second season, which premieres on HBO Max on January 8, frequently stumbles into the latter territory.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Williamson County based Ramsey Solutions has also come up with an effective guide to avoid any regifting blunders.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 Dec. 2025
-
There are worse things than watching Black, Rudd, and Zahn play three gormless morons on a mid-life misadventure, but almost every scene and setpiece is constructed with a haphazardness that blunders away their charm.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
23 Dec. 2025
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
-
During his segment, the actor opened up about his recent string of out-there looks, which also included teeny-tiny shorts and long hair.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Rain looks most likely at first, with temperatures mild ahead of the system, before colder air works in Wednesday night.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Boat trips with the hotel’s fleet of luxury liners or a heli ride take you island-hopping to Hydra and Spetses.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Shoelaces are scanned to ensure that no player trips and breaks bones.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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