1
as in to fall
to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily
the bride stumbled on the altar steps and landed smack in the arms of the minister
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to struggle
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
stumbled twice while she was reciting the "Gettysburg Address"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily
the tipsy revelers left the path and wearily stumbled through the tangled undergrowth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to fumble
to make a mistake
that network announcer rarely stumbles when he's on the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
was his hurtful remark a regrettable stumble, or was it made with artful intention?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 stumble
Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Albon was mighty in the early part of 2025 and saw Sainz roar back to claim podiums when the leading teams stumbled.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
Some of the team's biggest stars saw dramatic stumbles.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Verb
The girls were found Monday evening by a dog walker who stumbled across the first body in the vicinity of East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue, near an all-boys public school called the Ginn Academy.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Albon was mighty in the early part of 2025 and saw Sainz roar back to claim podiums when the leading teams stumbled.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
Calgary missed the playoffs due to a tiebreaker last year but was condemned to also-ran status early this season by a nasty stumble out of the starting blocks.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
Some of the team's biggest stars saw dramatic stumbles.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumble
Verb
-
Additionally, the Hudson Farmers' Market draws local growers and makers with fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses, and flowers on Saturdays from spring to fall.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Hurricanes came oh-so-close before falling short, 92-89.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nicolas Datiche | Lightrocket | Getty Images AI tools may also struggle with real-world nuances that experienced travel planners account for.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Despite flashing elite potential with 29 points against Indiana, Arenas struggled with consistency as the Trojans spiraled during a seven-game losing streak.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Samson Fellows shuffled in his slippers to a small space heater and flicked it on.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Green Bay Packers are doing some shuffling at cornerback by adding Benjamin St-Juste while informing Nate Hobbs of a plan to release him a year after signing him to the $48 million, four-year contract, according to two people with knowledge of the decisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Since the first release in December, critics have accused the administration of fumbling the rollout and withholding too many documents.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The back line — still reeling from the departure of center back Adilson Malanda this offseason — shored up its mistakes and stood tall.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The third mistake involves process.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
New York — Global stocks closed lower Tuesday after a volatile day that saw the Dow briefly tumble by more than 1,200 points as concerns linger among investors that the widening conflict in the Middle East could escalate further.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Yet for critics, this year’s tumble has only added to a conviction that the state should never have gotten involved with the notoriously volatile asset class in the first place.—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And when Martha slips into costume designer Brenna Maienschein’s form-fitting leopard-print dress, her predatory strategy to seduce Nick as the final flank maneuver against her husband becomes clear.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The Iniu Portable Charger is especially convenient thanks to its slim, lightweight design that slips easily into a small bag or jacket pocket.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Three weeks later, Jalloh allegedly assaulted an older male and stomped his head into the ground.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
-
This wasn’t the three-time Cy Young Award version of this man who stomped through their clubhouse doors this week.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumble. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
