as in muttering
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1
as in falling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in struggling
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 shuffling
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 fumbling
to make a mistake
that network announcer rarely stumbles when he's on the air
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stumbling
Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
After stumbling into a massive camp full of refugees from Nilfgaard’s ongoing campaign, Geralt winds up witness to a witch trial.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CWD can take months to years for symptoms to appear, which could include drastic weight loss, stumbling or lack of coordination, drooling and listlessness.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
Footage of a father stumbling around, apparently carrying the headless body of his baby?
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Remaining unclaimed playoff spots The final two playoff spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs, with FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes all stumbling towards the finish line.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Crossing the threshold into this quiet oasis near the former Berlin Wall feels like stumbling across a secret.
—Diana Hubbell, Saveur, 16 Oct. 2025
But the researchers said stumbling upon the copious number of artifacts entangled in the historical nests took them by surprise.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
But the Jaguars scratched and clawed their way back into the game thanks to a Devin Lloyd 99-yard interception return for a touchdown and Trevor Lawrence stumbling into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Seven years of stumbling around.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
After stumbling into a massive camp full of refugees from Nilfgaard’s ongoing campaign, Geralt winds up witness to a witch trial.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CWD can take months to years for symptoms to appear, which could include drastic weight loss, stumbling or lack of coordination, drooling and listlessness.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
Footage of a father stumbling around, apparently carrying the headless body of his baby?
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Remaining unclaimed playoff spots The final two playoff spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs, with FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes all stumbling towards the finish line.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Crossing the threshold into this quiet oasis near the former Berlin Wall feels like stumbling across a secret.
—Diana Hubbell, Saveur, 16 Oct. 2025
But the researchers said stumbling upon the copious number of artifacts entangled in the historical nests took them by surprise.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
But the Jaguars scratched and clawed their way back into the game thanks to a Devin Lloyd 99-yard interception return for a touchdown and Trevor Lawrence stumbling into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling
Verb
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Yet in practice, America is now collecting billions from importers, much of it falling on carbon-intensive goods and places.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement Her victory also carries national implications for Democrats, who are struggling to chart a path between progressive energy and centrist caution ahead of the 2026 midterms.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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Always Greener, which scored 15 nominations on the annual Brit List, is a high concept script that follows a struggling artist, haunted by past failure, who is given a one-in-a-million chance to become his rich and successful doppelganger from a parallel universe.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
So, if the Phillies were to target Bichette, there would be some sort of shuffling in the infield.—
Patrick McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In 2022, Kelsey pleaded guilty to illegally shuffling money from his state Senate campaign account to his federal congressional campaign account.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Reclaim your power, even if that means fumbling your way through some uncomfortable convos or realizations.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
9 Nov. 2025
-
With its easy-to-slip-on design and timeless silhouette, this pair of boots is perfect for travelers who dread fumbling with laces during the chaotic airport security screenings.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The defense is faltering, the offensive line is a mess, and no one knows what McCarthy is going to do.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Lebanon’s faltering banking system.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Opponents won't be tripping over themselves to help the Cardinals shed cash.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
This and that ▪ Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II was contrite about lashing out at running backs coach Eric Studesville in a heated exchange after Gordon was called for a tripping penalty against Baltimore.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Read All About It A Missouri woman was sentenced to more than four years in prison in a brazen and blundering attempt to steal Graceland from the family of Elvis Presley.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 2025
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Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year’s promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The sound of her stomping up the staircase causes her parents to share a look of weary consternation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
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But only the faithful know everything about the Mushroom Kingdom’s shell-stomping messiah.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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