Synonyms of stumbled

stumbled

verb

past tense of stumble

1

as in fell

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

• fell
• tripped
• slipped
• tumbled
• toppled
• collapsed
• skidded
• plopped
• slid
• plunged
• crumpled
• dropped
• crashed
• plunked
• plummeted
• keeled
• precipitated
• slumped (over)
• wiped out
• flumped
• nose-dived
• free-fell

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stood (up)
• rose
• got up
• uprose

2

as in struggled

to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually

stumbled twice while she was reciting the "Gettysburg Address"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• struggled
• blundered
• trudged
• floundered
• shuffled
• limped
• lurched
• fumbled
• jogged
• bumbled
• plodded
• lumbered
• faltered
• swayed
• reeled
• shambled
• flogged
• staggered
• tottered
• wallowed
• teetered
• muddled
• weltered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sailed
• flew
• glided
• coasted
• zoomed
• zipped
• kilted

3

as in shuffled

to move heavily or clumsily

the tipsy revelers left the path and wearily stumbled through the tangled undergrowth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shuffled
• stomped
• lurched
• weaved
• barged
• trudged
• floundered
• shambled
• dragged
• stamped
• hauled
• tramped
• sloughed
• stumped
• pounded
• scuffled
• clumped
• lumped
• staggered
• scuffed
• plodded
• lumbered
• galumphed
• slogged
• flopped
• tromped
• swayed
• flogged
• blundered
• reeled
• waddled
• tottered
• careened
• wobbled
• teetered
• doddered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slid
• glided
• whisked
• drifted
• floated
• hung
• waltzed
• coasted
• hovered
• breezed
• poised
• wafted

4

as in fumbled

to make a mistake

that network announcer rarely stumbles when he's on the air

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fumbled
• tripped
• blundered
• nodded
• erred
• slipped up
• flubbed
• mistook
• fluffed
• screwed up
• dropped the ball
• laid an egg
• misunderstood
• fouled up
• goofed (up)
• boobed
• mangled
• messed (up)
• loused up
• bungled
• murdered
• muffed
• misjudged
• botched
• butchered
• miscalculated
• bobbled
• misconceived
• misinterpreted
• misconstrued
• mishandled
• miscounted
• miscued
• foozled
• misgauged
• misdeemed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stumbled

But like their European counterparts, American incumbents in the automobile and space industries have also stumbled. — Andrew McAfee, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026

For Wilmot, the worst moment occurred when Sleepy stumbled to the edge of a huge chasm in the mine, turned and began to fall backward to his death. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

The women just appear to have gotten lost on their way to quadrille practice and stumbled into a Pina Bausch class. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

The Broncos stumbled out of the blocks to a 17-3 deficit against Memphis last week, and the same happened on Saturday against South Dakota. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2026

The Bears, however, stumbled out of the gate, losing four straight before winning Friday night. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Jose Fernandez stumbled into revealing something with an innocent answer that explains why the Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd with the first pick in the WNBA draft, one slot ahead of a player who may be named MVP. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

Portage stumbled into its flock of Flocks after then-Sheriff Dave Reynolds contracted with the company to put them in the city. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

For all of the anticipation of an explosive new offensive attack sparked by the arrival of new coordinator Mike McDaniel, the Chargers stumbled and fumbled their way through their season debut. — Doug Haller, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026