as in uncomfortable
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of fumbling
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Rhamondre Stevenson continues to run hard, freed (for now) from the demons that followed his fumbling issues early in the season.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
One-word answers litter the path toward your desperate, fumbling attempt to get away.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 1 Oct. 2025
No stars are required to dress up and parade for the cameras or to answer fumbling questions from the press; no juries haggle over prizes; and, above all, there is no obligation to observe the highly suspect principle that the latest thing is bound to be the best.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
What to know about the Patriots-Texans game Despite three turnovers and Drake Maye fumbling four times, the Patriots held on to beat the Houston Texans, 28-16.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
Stroud fumbling five times, losing two and throwing an interception.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
The Spain international gifted Arsenal their first two goals by missing Declan Rice’s cross from a corner early in the first half and then fumbling Ben White’s tame centre soon after half-time.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Beauty products have taken over my sink, leaving me fumbling for my go-to face washes and serums every morning and night.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
The water-repellent material protects against leaks or spills, and the see-through design eliminates fumbling at security checkpoints.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
After fumbling a number of product rollouts, the company has bounced back this year, thanks to hefty investments in AI infrastructure and the success of its Gemini app.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025
Then, there’s Ime Udoka, whose story is still talked about (at least within my friend group; fumbling Nia Long is insane).
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
The robbery, fumbling and amateur, unfolds in classic Reichardt detail, down to Mooney overlooking the fact that the day he’s chosen happens to be one when he’s supposed to be watching his kids, who’ll be out of school.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Rhamondre Stevenson continues to run hard, freed (for now) from the demons that followed his fumbling issues early in the season.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
One-word answers litter the path toward your desperate, fumbling attempt to get away.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 1 Oct. 2025
No stars are required to dress up and parade for the cameras or to answer fumbling questions from the press; no juries haggle over prizes; and, above all, there is no obligation to observe the highly suspect principle that the latest thing is bound to be the best.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Yet, as any visitor stalled in traffic or fumbling for cash to top up a transit card discovers, the old Seoul persists beneath the new.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
What to know about the Patriots-Texans game Despite three turnovers and Drake Maye fumbling four times, the Patriots held on to beat the Houston Texans, 28-16.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
Stroud fumbling five times, losing two and throwing an interception.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
The Spain international gifted Arsenal their first two goals by missing Declan Rice’s cross from a corner early in the first half and then fumbling Ben White’s tame centre soon after half-time.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Beauty products have taken over my sink, leaving me fumbling for my go-to face washes and serums every morning and night.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
The water-repellent material protects against leaks or spills, and the see-through design eliminates fumbling at security checkpoints.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
After fumbling a number of product rollouts, the company has bounced back this year, thanks to hefty investments in AI infrastructure and the success of its Gemini app.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025
Then, there’s Ime Udoka, whose story is still talked about (at least within my friend group; fumbling Nia Long is insane).
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbling
Adjective
-
When they’re installed without fixing underlying issues, homeowners can end up disappointed, uncomfortable or paying more than expected.—
Brynn Cooksey,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Lenses can crack, and frames can crack or warp in a way that makes wearing them difficult or uncomfortable.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, California continued blowing money on a high-speed rail project that is years behind schedule and billions over budget, was bilked for billions in fraud, and funded an anti-homelessness bureaucracy with no accountability, among other things.—
Matt Fleming,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
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The idea is not only to speed up the time for AI systems to respond, but also to enable larger context windows, add quality checks on answers and keep AI features turned on for more users without blowing past budgets.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After literally years of groping around in the dark, Brazil do, at least, have the makings of a plan under Ancelotti.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Busfield is accused of groping a 16-year-old girl who was auditioning for a role at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, according to a prosecution filing.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These are just some of the most prominent, powerful bootlickers stumbling right now on their own deceit and desperation.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The Russians had made a mistake, with Sikharulidze stumbling out of a double axel.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Back at the Village, the Tree Room (my personal favorite) has been around since the original Redford days, as evidenced by the wooden shelves lined with his personal library and collection of Indigenous art.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
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But the next day, on my desk was a big, wooden box with a red ribbon on top of it.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At that point, the day had been characterized by sloppiness and frustration, with Bears pass catchers failing to secure at least a half-dozen catchable throws from their quarterback and, on three occasions, bungling fourth-down opportunities.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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When Souleymane rehearses his account, in an early scene, Barry admonishes him for blandly reciting (and often bungling) the false facts he’s been given.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The only black eye on the report was a loss in Reality Labs, but given management’s recent efforts to reduce spending in the division, investors are looking past it.—
,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The simple-looking 'speedometer' is actually a touchscreen that can show GPS and a variety of displays for speed, RPM, fuel, music, and more.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cognitive Mercury and upbeat Jupiter are tripping over one another, potentially impacting your day-to-day routine or plans with your friends.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
-
There should never be too many things piled up in a home, especially next to points of exit and entry, which could be a tripping hazard.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbling. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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