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
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
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
Sports fans may forgive interceptions and fumbles.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 19 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
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
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
Sports fans may forgive interceptions and fumbles.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 19 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
-
Here are 11 companion planting mistakes to avoid as much as possible in your garden.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
-
What does the show think of mistakes?—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Those chemicals, salts and metals have concentrated over time in the lake bed sediments, and they get stirred up into the air when the wind blows through.—
Jill Johnston,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
-
As the wind blows between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains, the velocity increases and carries the sand grains from the sandstone.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 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
-
Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich follows the titular law firm worker who stumbles upon records involving the Pacific Gas & Electric Company's culpability in a contamination incident.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Bankman-Fried stumbles through an answer about payments.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Orioles pitchers made two defensive blunders Saturday, and the absence of an ABS challenge cost Ryan Helsley in the ninth inning of a gutting loss.—
Jacob Calvin Meyer,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
Despite being a newbie in the NBA and everything that comes along with it, the Charlotte Hornets’ rising rookie looks as composed as a veteran at times.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The coverage of showers and storms looks hit-or-miss.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As in trips to the postseason, not trips down memory lane.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Sometimes, a virus trips a switch that results in the immune system turning on the host, even after the invader has departed.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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