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
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Recent Examples of tripping
Early in the third period, Blue Jackets forward Dmitri Voronkov was checking with his stick instead of his body when he was called for tripping former Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov.
—
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The police footage shows the man turning and bolting away from officers before quickly tripping over his own feet just a few steps past his car.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
The game started to get away from the Stars in the second period, but the momentum began to shift when Jamie Benn was called for tripping with 27 seconds left in the first period.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
Nikolaj Ehlers was called for tripping on the play.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
In recent years, as robots have become increasingly sophisticated, their makers have gone from kicking them to shoving them, tripping them, and even hitting them with folding chairs.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The second period started in chaos when Mat Barzal reacted to a Mason Marchment tripping penalty by taking a two-handed chop to Marchment's right foot, resulting in a major penalty and a game misconduct ejection.
—CBS News, 29 Dec. 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
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The police footage shows the man turning and bolting away from officers before quickly tripping over his own feet just a few steps past his car.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
The game started to get away from the Stars in the second period, but the momentum began to shift when Jamie Benn was called for tripping with 27 seconds left in the first period.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
Nikolaj Ehlers was called for tripping on the play.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
In recent years, as robots have become increasingly sophisticated, their makers have gone from kicking them to shoving them, tripping them, and even hitting them with folding chairs.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The second period started in chaos when Mat Barzal reacted to a Mason Marchment tripping penalty by taking a two-handed chop to Marchment's right foot, resulting in a major penalty and a game misconduct ejection.
—CBS News, 29 Dec. 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
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
-
Neither is having your kids hopping about from school to school like free agents on 1-year contracts.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
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Travelers are chasing big moments and unforgettable experiences—think the Winter Olympics, the World Cup, or cultural festivals—rather than hopping from place to place.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Legion Pro Rollable lets players train in conditions closer to tournament play, even while traveling.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Santa Rosa Police Department said in a press release that officers responded to multiple reports of a shooting at the mall and found a 15-year-old boy who had been shot, with the bullet traveling through his body, leaving entry and exit wounds in his upper shoulder and mid-back area.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The image of Gobert fumbling with the ball and having his shot attempt rim out has been a lasting one.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Georgia Tech also went 3 of 6, fumbling at the BYU 11-yard line in the third quarter and having a 35-yard field goal by Aidan Birr blocked late in the quarter.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
A couple years ago, another runner spent the better part of 12 months jogging every street in Manhattan, a 750-mile endeavor.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Barker was seen jogging in a video the organization shared on Instagram, which showed a high turnout of runners from various age groups.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Shop my favorite airport looks for winter travel below, with each outfit falling at or below $100.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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
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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 10 Jan. 2026.
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