1
as in trotting
to go at a pace faster than a walk
went tripping up the steps of city hall in their eagerness to get married
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stumbling
to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily
tripped over a chair and landed on her face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hopping
to move with a light springing step
dancers tripping lightly across the stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in traveling
to take a trip especially of some distance
while he was growing up, the family tripped to New England every summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in fumbling
to make a mistake
the press has had it in for the new governor, and they are just waiting for her to trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 tripping
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
With 42 seconds left in OT, the B’s got a power play, but gave it right back on the ensuing faceoff when Geekie was called for tripping.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Their debut album, Forever, sounds like temporarily regressing to your childhood self while tripping—a kind of gleaming innocence desperately fending off the darkness of adulthood lurking at the periphery.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Consider light-colored clothing or reflective tape for costumes, and adjust costume length to avoid tripping.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
Remove tripping hazards from your yard and porch like toys, bikes and garden hoses.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
But instead of tripping in frustration, Benioff rose to the threefold leadership challenge of correcting a media misunderstanding, pulling off another tentpole event for his company, and contributing a major economic boost to his beloved San Francisco.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Linebacker Alex Anzalone was fined $12,172 for unnecessary roughness (striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing) and defensive tackle Tyler Lacy was hit with a $5,722 fine for the same reason.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
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
With 42 seconds left in OT, the B’s got a power play, but gave it right back on the ensuing faceoff when Geekie was called for tripping.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Their debut album, Forever, sounds like temporarily regressing to your childhood self while tripping—a kind of gleaming innocence desperately fending off the darkness of adulthood lurking at the periphery.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Consider light-colored clothing or reflective tape for costumes, and adjust costume length to avoid tripping.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
Remove tripping hazards from your yard and porch like toys, bikes and garden hoses.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
But instead of tripping in frustration, Benioff rose to the threefold leadership challenge of correcting a media misunderstanding, pulling off another tentpole event for his company, and contributing a major economic boost to his beloved San Francisco.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Linebacker Alex Anzalone was fined $12,172 for unnecessary roughness (striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing) and defensive tackle Tyler Lacy was hit with a $5,722 fine for the same reason.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tripping
Verb
-
This team is clearly stuck in a bad and awkward place because of past decisions — most notably the 2022 Deshaun Watson trade — and is on a second straight year of trotting an uninspiring and uncompetitive offense onto the field each week.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Such a reading of the law at the center of the case could provide Trump an opening -- along with other tariffs that have not been challenged in court -- to continue his global-trotting mission to reshape trade imbalances, even if the high court curtails his broad tariff power.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Seven years of stumbling around.—
Literary Hub,
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
Verb
-
By the time the time-hopping sci-fi comedy came around in 1985, Fox had already been working steadily as an actor for years.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Matt and Berk, thank you for hopping on.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Heat also again faces the Cavaliers in back-to-back games later this season, traveling to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers on March 25 and 27.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Atkins died three days after the fatal collision, which occurred after Owen-Cooper had been traveling around 53 mph on a road with a 20 mph speed limit.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
10 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
Verb
-
Running remains one of the world’s most popular forms of exercise, according to Statista, with about 50 million Americans regularly running or jogging for both physical and mental health benefits.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Some may also choose to do this when jogging or performing other athletic activities where a hood might continuously slip backward.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
After corralling a pass from Amelia Greisner in the 52nd minute, Lasch spun around and fired a bouncing shot.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
And one country came out on top as the best spot in the world for bouncing from beach to beach.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tripping. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share