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
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
as in muttering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stumbling
Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Wendy had stumbled onto territory that Lizzo immediately deemed off the record.
—Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
But even that stumble isn't reason enough not to see it.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Matt Hayes, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2025
The matches often devolve into the wrestlers stumbling around the ring, trying to find each other based on the sound of the crowd.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling
Noun
The trio stumbles upon a crucial piece of evidence - and promptly compromises it.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Wendy had stumbled onto territory that Lizzo immediately deemed off the record.
—Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Eagles are still loaded with talent, and Friday's matchup offers a chance to prove their opening stumble was nothing more than a hiccup.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
But even that stumble isn't reason enough not to see it.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The same Jackson Arnold who was benched last season at Oklahoma, which was stumbling through its worst season in three decades.
—Matt Hayes, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2025
The matches often devolve into the wrestlers stumbling around the ring, trying to find each other based on the sound of the crowd.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling
Noun
-
Having the confidence to make tough decisions, to trust your team, to learn from your mistakes, and to keep moving forward.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
That, in my opinion, is a mistake.—
Arthur Azizov,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Ewpjdk 4-Pack Garden Pruning Shears come with four pruning shears for the price of one and are versatile enough to take on all kinds of fall pruning tasks, like harvesting, clipping, deadheading, and cutting off the final fruits of the season, before winter comes.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The winner of this fall’s gubernatorial contest in Virginia will signal whether Republicans can still maintain a grip on statewide politics or if the Old Dominion State will revert to its blue leanings.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Buffalo, known for end-of-half blunders in past years, scored a field goal as the first half expired after moving the ball 48 yards in three plays (including a spike).—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As competition heated up with Walmart, Target made what may be viewed by some in hindsight a profound blunder, another case of brand amnesia.—
Greg Petro,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Her life took quite a different and unexpected tumble, though, in 2011 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 34.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Shares of Palantir Technologies, the data-analytics firm widely viewed as an AI bellwether, plunged more than 9%, its worst tumble since March, after prominent short-seller Andrew Left of Citron Research renewed his bearish stance.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Well, a slowdown in jobs growth implies a faltering economy, which has generally been bad for stocks.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
-
As prices are increasing, reliability is faltering.—
Brian Deese,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Due to an editing error, a prior version of this report misstated what match Djokovic is playing Friday.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Sabalenka ended the match with 43 winners compared to 27 errors; Pegula was 21 for 15.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This double-wide camp chair is quilted and comfortable, with durable 600D polyester fabric that holds up to weather, spills, and even a slobbery dog (or two) climbing aboard.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The drink was kept as far away from her as possible to prevent spills.—
Starr Bowenbank,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The difference there is that Keanu Reeves is unflappable, while Odenkirk has a sputtering quality to him that adds a comedic layer to his bloody lash-outs.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Porous defense and sputtering rushing attacks.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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