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
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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
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Recent Examples of stumble
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Moments later, bodycam video shows Hairston suddenly bolting from deputies, stumbling into the road and engaging in a struggle with deputies.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Each stumble forced Huang’s team to rethink, redesign, and innovate at a pace that steady success never would have demanded.
—Big Think, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Verb
Both the lawsuit and police then claim that Brianna lost her phone and stumbled into the woods nearby.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Moments later, bodycam video shows Hairston suddenly bolting from deputies, stumbling into the road and engaging in a struggle with deputies.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Despite a stumble in their most recent European outing, their domestic form has been strong, and their attackers, including Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, bring sharp finishing and creative threat.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Each stumble forced Huang’s team to rethink, redesign, and innovate at a pace that steady success never would have demanded.
—Big Think, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumble
Verb
-
The 1971 Vikings were the other team, and Minnesota wound up falling at home to Dallas in its initial playoff contest.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In witness footage shared by the police, the paraglider is seen falling from the sky with a faulty parachute and spiraling quickly towards the waters below, before smashing into the ocean in front of horrified beachgoers.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His strength on defense was particularly impressive for a freshman, as TCU big men Xavier Edmonds and David Punch struggled to create good looks inside the lane thanks in large part to the defense of Peat.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Players throughout the Heat’s rotation struggled to make shots.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even with my winter boots and sturdy soles, caution dictates a short stride, a shuffling gait end eyes riveted to the slippery ground.—
Thomas Cangelosi,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2026
-
First, the sophomore shuffled back into coverage after showing A-gap pressure to intercept a Bryce Underwood pass over the middle of the field, ending a key fourth-quarter drive.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ball security The Hurricanes have fumbled the ball four times in the past two games and lost two of them — one apiece by Malachi Toney (first round against Texas A&M) and Fletcher (quarterfinal against Ohio State).—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Herbert, who threw four interceptions in his last postseason appearance, fumbled five times after only coughing up the ball twice in his first 12 games this season.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While rebounding kept the Horned Frogs in the game early, the offense finally picked up until the mistakes piled up down the stretch.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Let’s look back on 2025 fantasy misses to look forward and avoid making the signature mistake of each whiff come the 2026 draft season.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Our days are spent cross-country and downhill skiing, dogsledding, snowshoeing, and gazing at waterfalls frozen mid-tumble.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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Cheng Xin | Getty Images After an all-time high and a big tumble for bitcoin last year, industry executives and investors told CNBC that the cryptocurrency could reach new heights in 2026 — but with the potential for huge volatility.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This is the perfect time of year to slip into an ultra-soft flannel set or select a set that exudes hotel luxury.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Jan. 2026
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This is designed more like a wallet, with a pouch to slip your passport in as well as external pockets to stash a few essential cards and bills.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jenkins brutally stomped and punched Coto, who was severely injured and put on life support.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Take it slower and stomp a path through new snow or ski on a frozen pond.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumble. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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