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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025
With its easy-to-slip-on design and timeless silhouette, this pair of boots is perfect for travelers who dread fumbling with laces during the chaotic airport security screenings.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
After fumbling around under the judges' table to find his scoring paddle, Flav flashed a 10 for Dylan Efron, while his long-serving counterparts assigned the content creator an 8 and a pair of 9s.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
Jones threw three interceptions while fumbling the ball three times - losing two - as Indianapolis picked up its second loss of the season.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
In Week 2, McCarthy played poorly, throwing two interceptions and fumbling three times.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Gaines got some redemption with his TD after fumbling on a third-and-goal run in the first quarter.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
There is no right moment, and the early scenes are about fumbling steps and the tentativeness of awkward new roles.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
In other words, no more blaring commercials leaving viewers fumbling for the remote — platforms like Paramount+ and Netflix are going to have to figure out how to keep the product-hawking at an equivalent volume to their films and series.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
Reclaim your power, even if that means fumbling your way through some uncomfortable convos or realizations.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025
With its easy-to-slip-on design and timeless silhouette, this pair of boots is perfect for travelers who dread fumbling with laces during the chaotic airport security screenings.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
After fumbling around under the judges' table to find his scoring paddle, Flav flashed a 10 for Dylan Efron, while his long-serving counterparts assigned the content creator an 8 and a pair of 9s.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
Jones threw three interceptions while fumbling the ball three times - losing two - as Indianapolis picked up its second loss of the season.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
In Week 2, McCarthy played poorly, throwing two interceptions and fumbling three times.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Gaines got some redemption with his TD after fumbling on a third-and-goal run in the first quarter.
—Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
There is no right moment, and the early scenes are about fumbling steps and the tentativeness of awkward new roles.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
In other words, no more blaring commercials leaving viewers fumbling for the remote — platforms like Paramount+ and Netflix are going to have to figure out how to keep the product-hawking at an equivalent volume to their films and series.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbling
Adjective
-
My seat is hard and uncomfortable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Whoever dispatched that ambulance might be one of many employees at the Department of Emergency Communications who have felt uncomfortable, yelled at and trapped between their calling to help people and what several current and former dispatchers have called a hostile work environment.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
What To Know In , the Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Nunivak Island are expected to see blowing snow and strong southeasterly winds from early Sunday morning through the afternoon.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Among his convictions, Rahab was convicted of groping the butts of at least three different women and a 15-year-old girl in 2023.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
-
One aide filed a police report accusing him of groping her breast, though a district attorney declined to prosecute.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Seven years of stumbling around.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
After stumbling into a massive camp full of refugees from Nilfgaard’s ongoing campaign, Geralt winds up witness to a witch trial.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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At the center lies a cozy living room with black hide Pierre Jeannerett armchairs, brown leather pillows, and a wooden bookshelf.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
10 Nov. 2025
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While visiting Santa's Village, guests are also invited to take flight in The Elf Flyer, a whimsical flying wooden shoe ride and take photos at three unique photo opportunities including the Countdown to Christmas Clock, in front of oversized holiday decor and Santa's Sleigh.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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The British company Lumie, which specializes in modern-looking light-therapy lamps, recently launched the Lumie Dash ($225), a compact, ten-thousand-lux model that comes in friendly colors like terra-cotta and pistachio.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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In the meantime, the day-to-day work is on us—looking at our money honestly, making strategic moves, and refusing to let an unfair system keep us from building something better for ourselves and the next generation.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Opponents won't be tripping over themselves to help the Cardinals shed cash.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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This and that ▪ Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II was contrite about lashing out at running backs coach Eric Studesville in a heated exchange after Gordon was called for a tripping penalty against Baltimore.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbling. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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