Synonyms of fumbles

fumbles 1 of 2

noun

plural of fumble

as in mistakes

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy

played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mistakes
• blunders
• errors
• stumbles
• miscues
• trips
• flubs
• gaffes
• bobbles
• missteps
• inaccuracies
• gaffs
• clangers
• screwups
• slips
• faults
• bricks
• lapses
• goofs
• slipups
• fluffs
• boobs
• oversights
• clinkers
• boo-boos
• pratfalls
• bloopers
• snafus
• howlers
• misunderstandings
• boners
• miscalculations
• misjudgments
• misstatements
• bloomers
• misinterpretations
• misreadings
• misconceptions
• foul-ups
• misconstructions
• misdescriptions
• misapprehensions
• misimpressions
• miscomprehensions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accuracies
• precisions
• exactitudes
• perfections
• infallibilities
• inerrancies

fumbles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of fumble

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

• blows
• bungles
• murders
• dubs
• botches
• boots
• flubs
• ruins
• bobbles
• fluffs
• bumbles
• muffs
• mangles
• fouls up
• destroys
• spoils
• boggles
• screws up
• damages
• injures
• mars
• butchers
• goofs (up)
• blunders
• mucks up
• wrecks
• flaws
• messes (up)
• buggers (up)
• hurts
• foozles
• muddles
• impairs
• mutilates
• louses up
• bollixes (up)
• harms
• blights
• gums (up)
• blemishes
• vitiates
• mismanages
• mishandles
• piffles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reforms
• improves
• helps
• enhances
• rectifies
• refines
• remedies
• repairs
• ameliorates
• betters
• fixes
• doctors
• meliorates
• patches
• renovates
• revamps
• reconditions

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

• gropes
• looks
• reaches
• feels
• fishes
• scrabbles
• grabs
• snatches
• clutches
• hunts
• rakes
• seizes
• rummages
• captures
• seeks (out)
• casts about
• nabs
• nails
• rifles
• grabbles
• combs
• ransacks
• dredges
• scours
• gets
• corrals
• digs (through)

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

• stumbles
• trips
• blunders
• flubs
• nods
• mistakes
• fluffs
• errs
• fouls up
• slips up
• lays an egg
• drops the ball
• screws up
• boobs
• misunderstands
• goofs (up)
• bungles
• botches
• murders
• messes (up)
• louses up
• muffs
• bobbles
• mangles
• misjudges
• miscalculates
• miscues
• mishandles
• miscounts
• misconceives
• misconstrues
• butchers
• misinterprets
• foozles
• misgauges
• misdeems

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fumbles

Noun

Anderson, a former BYU standout, played in 40 games during his three seasons with the Packers, contributing 36 tackles, recovering two fumbles, breaking up two passes and pulling down one interception in 145 defensive snaps. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026

In the games so far, there have been quite a few fumbles and an apparent slackness of mind and limb. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 24 June 2026

Despite a record-flirting sack season and excellent production against the run in 2025, the Broncos tied for the second-fewest fumbles recovered of any NFL defense last year. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 June 2026

Pass rusher Nik Bonitto forced two fumbles by attacking Allen’s elbow. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 9 June 2026

Such livestreams can convey seemingly greater transparency than short videos by allowing viewers to see robotic flaws and fumbles in real time. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026

Jedi-in-training Rey (Daisy Ridley), reluctant hero Finn (John Boyega) and X-wing warrior Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) lead the ragtag Resistance against a returning Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in a film that's full of logic fumbles and muddies the focus of the third and final trilogy. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 May 2026

Mired by the Texans’ smothering defense, Rodgers completed 17-of-33 passes for 146 yards, with no touchdowns, one interception and two fumbles. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 18 May 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

Verb

Tensions between the galley and the interior continue to escalate over lunch service, when a radio mishap fumbles the order in which the food should go out. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026

The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 May 2026

If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred. — Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 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