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
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
as in uncomfortable
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fumbling
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
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
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Take the quiz here … CHAOTIC CALAMITY – Seahawks' celebration turns to disaster as bizarre fumble gives Cardinals new life.
—FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025
Unfortunately, holder Jim Arnold fumbled the snap and KC got no points.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for fumbling
Noun
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
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
Verb
Following a Keller field goal, the Chargers were on the march again, but a fumble at the Keller eight yard line doomed the drive.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Take the quiz here … CHAOTIC CALAMITY – Seahawks' celebration turns to disaster as bizarre fumble gives Cardinals new life.
—FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Timberview fumbled the snap on the two-point conversion attempt, leaving the Wolves with a two-point deficit.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025
Unfortunately, holder Jim Arnold fumbled the snap and KC got no points.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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
See All Example Sentences for fumbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbling
Noun
-
Learn from the loss, correct the mistakes and move forward.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Even his mistake for Damsgaard’s opener brought more of a stunned silence than exasperated groans or impulsive anger from the locals.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Anat Joseph agreed, noting that gestures like sending scented clothing blur platonic boundaries and can understandably make a partner uncomfortable.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
However, forecasters note that the relative humidity at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar will be an uncomfortable 85 percent Saturday and 82 percent Sunday.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Jones said the 49ers’ two biggest blunders Sunday were his fault.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Although a faux pas wasn't the case here, Roan has endured blunders in the past.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In the living room, high ceilings were supported by wooden beams, and a Gothic arch led to a sunroom, where the girls liked to put on plays.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Pounding, 10-foot waves caused the King's aging wooden seams to open.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike traditional approaches, HydroSpread lets ultrathin polymer films form directly on water, eliminating the fragile and error-prone step of transferring films from rigid surfaces.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
-
In the fourth inning, Los Angeles got a run on Kolek’s throwing error that sailed into center field.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Despite the stumble, Davis showed charisma and rhythm as the competition intensified.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
If the connection is spotty or the model is hosted hundreds of miles away, even the most advanced AI stumbles.—
Ivo Ivanov,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Bulsara was desperate to transform himself in that mold, to erase his recent past as a gawky, shy, bucktoothed kid .—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Crenshaw made fun of Davidson’s gawky stature and then called for respect for all veterans as well as first responders in the 9/11 attacks — one of whom was Davidson’s father.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Critics started using the ungainly term Apatowian to describe his imitators.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
-
An absolute charmer, the film is an affecting look at the human-avian bond, with all its mysteries, warmth and ungainly practicalities.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbling. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share