stumble (upon)

verb

Definition of stumble (upon)next
as in to encounter
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face stumbled upon an old acquaintance at the airport

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumble (upon)
  1. encounter
  2. meet
Verb
  • Trucks can still encounter traffic delays, and warehouses may face shortages or loading dock congestion.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026
  • For example, the organization doesn’t automatically disqualify women receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a restriction Lombardi says she’s encountered at other nonprofits.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • The two met every night from April 1-3 at Pinder’s apartment in Sweetwater, where they were quizzed about the fraternity’s history and beaten with paddles and canes for wrong answers, according to Sweetwater police.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Corsica is a place where cinematic elegance meets rugged natural beauty.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of meet
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.

Browse Nearby Words

stumbles (upon)
stumble (upon)
stumbling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stumble (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumble%20%28upon%29. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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