1
as in blowing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in groping
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 stumbling
to make a mistake
just when it looked like he was going to get away with the ruse, he fumbled
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in uncomfortable
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbling
Adjective
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As the narrative has expanded into continuation and origin stories, like Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Original Sin, Hall, 54, has returned as Dexter Morgan for even more uncomfortable experiences, while still out for blood.—
Jeff Conway,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025 -
Looking cute doesn’t have to mean feeling uncomfortable.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Italy wing-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo (No 22) started the inquest, pointing with his right arm and looking in the direction of his central-defender team-mate Alessandro Bastoni.—
Stuart James,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is looking for volunteers for its annual tree-planting event next month.—
Isaac Avilucea,
Axios,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Don't Use An Extension Cord In general, extension cords aren't a great idea because of the tripping hazard and the potential for overheating.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2025
-
For older people with weaker bones, tripping while walking can sometimes cause a fracture.—
Maggie Aime, MSN,
Health,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Both have sections crisscrossed by overhead power lines atop aging wooden poles, like those that fell in high winds and caused the Lahaina fire.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
The segregated school had wooden walls, inside and out, and wood floors.—
Hollace Ava Weiner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Theirs is a different reality Part of Williams reaching his potential will involve taking fewer sacks.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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Chicago was getting freezing drizzle and then temperatures potentially reaching into the mid-to-upper 20s.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Agnes has a gawky, floppy-haired beauty, a gently appraising stare, quizzically arching eyebrows, and a tendency to listen with her mouth half open, as if in anticipation of a punch line that will take her, and us, by surprise.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 June 2025
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Hiccup, played this time with game and gawky charm by Mason Thames, has been raised to think the only solution to violence is more violence.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
The official title is technically F1®: The Movie, an ungainly, trademarked reminder of both the brand the film was made in conjunction with, and the fact that that brand is so big that this $200-300 million Hollywood production is a blip in comparison.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
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The cornerstones of maps’ data pools are satellite images and a tireless fleet of Street View cars that roam with ungainly camera hats, constantly refreshing neighborhood-level detail.—
Sonya Bennett-Brandt,
AFAR Media,
25 June 2025
Verb
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They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at ages 18 and 21 after being convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2025
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Eleven years after attorney Sarah Morgan defended her husband, Adam, against the charge of murdering his mistress, she's changed careers and started a family with a new husband, Bob Miller.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbling. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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