stumble 1 of 6

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

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stumble

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noun

stumble (on or onto)

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verb (2)

stumble (upon)

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verb (3)

stumbling

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adjective

stumbling

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verb (4)

present participle of stumble
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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of stumble
Verb
Lune acts as the caretaker of the group, documenting their adventures in notes left for future expedition groups to stumble across. George Yang, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025 Trump has placed tariffs on several dozen countries, causing the stock market to stumble and interest rates to increase on U.S. debt as investors worry about slower economic growth and higher inflationary pressures. Josh Boak and Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
After last year’s stumble, Humana embarked on a $1 billion valuation-creation program, with the backing of Jeff Smith’s activist fund Starboard, and invested those savings in an improved Medicare Advantage offering that contained more benefits at competitive pricing. Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025 But the recent stock-market stumble, spearheaded by Tesla and other tech giants, serves as a wake-up call that building a balanced investment portfolio should be taken seriously, and revisited at least once a year, if not sooner. Russ Wiles, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumble
Noun
  • Justice Department lawyers contend FBI agents acted in good faith despite the mistake and shouldn't be second-guessed by the courts.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Many twenty-year veterans still make rookie mistakes while quick-learning newcomers can rapidly surpass them in both skills and results.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The stunning fall followed a dramatic weekend that began with many predicting that he would likely be selected in the first round along with teammate Travis Hunter, who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the second overall pick.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The fine texture provides a soft backdrop to summer blooming annuals and perennials and pairs beautifully with fall foliage.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But the team with the biggest quarterback blunder from 2018 was the Arizona Cardinals, who made the decision to trade up to the No. 10 pick to take Josh Rosen.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • This week’s White House Report Card could have been a bad one, considering court rulings against President Donald Trump, staffing blunders, and a lack of movement on his tariff war that is starting to scare his supporters.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Barclays shares took a steep tumble as the White House kicked off its trade war on April 2, but recovered thereafter and remain up more than 10% in the year to date — in sharp contrast to Swiss giant UBS, whose U.S. foothold and domestic concerns have led to a hemorrhage in stock value.
    Jenni Reid,Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
  • With 2:57 to go, Josh Hart took a vicious tumble and Jalen Brunson hurt his right ankle.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Graham Pauley singled and advanced to third when a fielder’s choice turned into a throwing error on Bohm.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Kyren Paris reached on an error by Matt Chapman at third, with Chapman cutting in front of Adames with the ball bounding into the outfield to bring Neto home with the second run.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Conservation groups say the spill catalyzed innovative restoration work across the Gulf Coast, but are alarmed at the recent halt of a flagship land-creation project in Louisiana.
    Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The spill was also toxic enough to kill about half of the marine life in its path, the journal study said.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Rams had two costly turnovers (fumbles) in their loss to the Eagles, while Philadelphia had zero.
    DJ Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The Ravens also lost two fumbles, one of which was charged to Jackson.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Others said the length of time a slip is used should not be a factor.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025
  • What was everyone worried about? Back-to-back defeats to Aston Villa and Everton had seen Nuno Espirito Santo’s side slip into sixth place, outside of the Champions League qualification spots and into a slight mood of dismay.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumble. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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