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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of fumbling
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
Facial recognition can help reduce wait times, eliminate the hassle of fumbling with documents and free up staff to focus on higher-value service.
—Jeff Kim, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
There was a bizarre play in the first half when Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart dropped back to pass then scrambled from the Giants’ 45-yard line to the Patriots’ 32-yard line before fumbling the ball away to the Patriots.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Eskridge caught an 11-yard touchdown pass and had another 27-yard catch and run after fumbling an early punt return opportunity.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
But the former Sooner struggled last season, recording just 801 yards on nearly the same number of carries (207) as in 2022, while fumbling a career-high seven times.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Mattison was Miami’s best running back in camp before fumbling twice during Friday’s joint practice.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2025
Then fumbling up the receiver Hello?
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
The fifth-year back out of Oklahoma is still repping with the first-team offense, but rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson stands to see more playing time if Stevenon’s fumbling issues continue.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Boise State played an uneven first half in Tampa, fumbling twice and committing a huge penalty that gave life to a South Florida touchdown drive.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
Facial recognition can help reduce wait times, eliminate the hassle of fumbling with documents and free up staff to focus on higher-value service.
—Jeff Kim, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
There was a bizarre play in the first half when Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart dropped back to pass then scrambled from the Giants’ 45-yard line to the Patriots’ 32-yard line before fumbling the ball away to the Patriots.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Eskridge caught an 11-yard touchdown pass and had another 27-yard catch and run after fumbling an early punt return opportunity.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
But the former Sooner struggled last season, recording just 801 yards on nearly the same number of carries (207) as in 2022, while fumbling a career-high seven times.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Mattison was Miami’s best running back in camp before fumbling twice during Friday’s joint practice.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2025
Then fumbling up the receiver Hello?
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbling
Verb
-
But the Ravens are gaining on them after blowing a 15-point lead to the Bills in the fourth quarter of the teams’ epic opener Sunday night.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Dixon alleged Reid attacked her again a few months later, forcibly kissing and groping her in the back of a private car with his driver present.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
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Federal prosecutors here have filed a felony case against a man who was convicted this year of groping three women and a girl over two days, and of exposing himself to a nurse, after returning to the Bay Area from two deportations.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His arrival home each night is announced by his sputtering motorcycle and his drunken stumbling up the stairs.—
Adam Solomons,
IndieWire,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Whew The last thing a team wants to see is its starting quarterback stumbling to the sideline four plays into the season.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The father said the priest asked about masturbation and pornography, and that his son was uncomfortable and reported it immediately after leaving church.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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The content is absurd, borderline uncomfortable and consistently viral.—
Leeron Walter,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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 Royals were looking to add to their lead after another stop, but Landon Dressell intercepted a Richland pass and returned it to the Royals’ 4-yard line.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
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Zaldivar said in an age where more people are turning away from their faith, the declaration of the young saints is inspiring to many Catholics looking towards the future of the church.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In my heavy-tripping state, the taste is glorious.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
1 Sep. 2025
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Surveillance video showed that Trigg accidentally fell into the pool after tripping and falling on an inflatable chair.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The small wooden boat was abandoned Thursday after dropping off the migrants in Tavernier in the Upper Keys.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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Throughout it there are forts, full-size wooden galleons and signs hung on what appear to be Persian rugs.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbling. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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