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
as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance
stumbled on some old family photos when she was cleaning out a drawer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in muttering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stumble
Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
If the student stumbles, the AI agent gives them clues, along with criticism and positive feedback.
—Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Raymond Daniel Burke, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
But as Blue Owl’s stumble rattles the industry, its standing in Washington is also getting shakier.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The club can continue stumbling through an awkward, uncertain moment.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Verb
His partner, suffering from severe head lacerations and five broken ribs and unable to get the two-way radio working, stumbled two miles to the nearest dwelling and was then driven to the nearest phone.
—Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
If the student stumbles, the AI agent gives them clues, along with criticism and positive feedback.
—Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
However, through savvy identification of talent and astute player development, the Orioles soon became legitimate contenders, winning 89 games in 1960 and 95 in 1961, and, after a brief stumble, 86 in 1963, 97 in 1964 and 94 in 1965.
—Raymond Daniel Burke, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
But as Blue Owl’s stumble rattles the industry, its standing in Washington is also getting shakier.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
The bubble was the softest in recent memory, with one team after another stumbling late in the season.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The club can continue stumbling through an awkward, uncertain moment.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumble
Noun
-
However, this approach is a mistake.—
Kat Tretina,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But fans, players and teams have grown less patient with mistakes that technology can easily fix.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Disney World announced a trio of deals for this summer and into early fall, starting with a promotion that anyone can take advantage of.—
Carly Neil,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
That fall, an old friend reached out to my father through the underground communications network, dialling a number printed on a faded piece of plastic Dymo tape and speaking to him from a public phone booth.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the years across Illinois, there has been a litany of agency miscues, blunders and downright neglect, including several in Lake County.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The sufferings caused by a statesman’s blunders are larger than the benefits produced by his accomplishments.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Also offering Ninja Warrior Day Camp with obstacle courses, trampoline, tumble track, rock wall and more.—
Jessie Dax-Setkus,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The payoff for the rough and tumble pickup games came via D1 offers for both Jeremy and Jeremiah (and a first-round draft pick to the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans for Jeremiah).—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Draghi’s report highlights several reasons why Europe’s competitiveness is faltering.—
Francesca Cassidy,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That deal can't come soon enough for the president, as there are worrisome signs about the overall economy faltering due to the war, and even some Republicans are questioning his mission in the Middle East.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wait times are based on data reported by users and are not exact or error-free.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But the Barons got the final out on a base running error by the Sea Kings.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The catastrophic 1969 offshore oil spill in Santa Barbara killed thousands of sea birds and marine mammals.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Eastbound Loop 820 has been closed near Holiday Lane in North Richland Hills after a minor crash involving a fuel spill, police said Wednesday afternoon.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And, yet, at the same time football was sputtering, something else was building.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Drivers reported stalling, sputtering and newly illuminated check engine lights shortly after refueling their vehicles.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumble. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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