as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to blow
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 to grope
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 to stumble
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of fumble
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 June 2025
Yeah, but still... Yamamoto had his second-worst stinker as a Dodger, surpassed by only his fumble of the division series opener last season against the Padres.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
George Ramsay, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones — Jones came up in the discussion about fumbling, but that will not stop him from being the leading backfield producer for the Vikings.
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
That was the third-highest individual total the Broncos allowed on the season, trailing only Jonathan Taylor’s 107 — plus one massive, game-altering fumble — in Week 15 for Indianapolis and Kenneth Walker’s 103 for Seattle in Week 1.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 June 2025
Yeah, but still... Yamamoto had his second-worst stinker as a Dodger, surpassed by only his fumble of the division series opener last season against the Padres.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Verb
United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır fumbled the ball on the edge of his area, allowing Villa forward Morgan Rogers to take possession and put the ball into the net.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones — Jones came up in the discussion about fumbling, but that will not stop him from being the leading backfield producer for the Vikings.
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
-
Here are the five hidden profile mistakes that stop your ideal clients getting in touch.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Jumping onto Andrew Cuomo’s leaky ship was a devastating mistake for the pro-Israel movement.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
The family lives on the 18th floor of a high-rise building and getting into the underground garage that doubles as a bomb shelter during Russian attacks is an uncomfortable experience.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
-
The other panelists and the show's host all tried to move past the comedian's uncomfortable move and go on with the show.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
Even with good intentions, these salon blunders are better avoided, according to experts.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
19 June 2025
-
Other big moments in Trump’s presidency include the leak of U.S. military attack plans to Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, what was widely considered to be the first major blunder of his second term.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Launched in December 2024 by Mekong Kingdoms, this 13-suite wooden cruiser offers a deeply relaxing way to experience life along the Mekong between Luang Prabang and Vientiane.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Frisco Commons Park also has wooden playgrounds and interpretive trails; 9-acre J.R. Newman Park has picnic tables and a covered pavilion; and Shepherd’s Glen Park has its own walking trail, playground, and pavilion.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
That poll surveyed 658 Virginia residents between May 12 and May 19, and has a weighted margin of error of 5.25 percent.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
-
Many small business workers may not have digital access or face language barriers when missing paperwork or tech errors can result in automatic loss of coverage.—
Rhett Buttle,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Energy Guardian scored a dramatic knockdown in the first round, and despite a late stumble from Armored Mulan, Energy Guardian secured the win.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2025
-
Ford started his speech by quipping about his recent stumble down the steps of Air Force One during a visit to Salzburg, Austria.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The director chose teen star Mason Thames, who doesn’t look much like a gawky misfit, though his body language speaks volumes (essentially, what Jay Baruchel’s warbly voice once did).—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The resulting Cheetah was, frankly, an ungainly machine, more like an oversized four-wheel ATV than a Ford Bronco or Mercedes G-Wagen.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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