as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance
while we were out on a drive in the country, we tumbled upon a farm stand selling the best peaches I've ever tasted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumble (upon)
Verb
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Investigators also found eight 9 mm casings fired from a Glock pistol at the scene where Holmes was killed, according to the affidavit.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026 -
In doing so, the judge found he could not be involved in the handling of the separate probes related to the civil fraud investigation and the NRA.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The most recent third season transported viewers to Thailand, where glamorous guests (played by Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Carrie Coon, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Walton Goggins, Aimee Lou Wood among many others) encountered enlightenment, spirituality and death.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, who hopes to return home to his wife (Anne Hathaway) after the Trojan War, but (famously), encounters a few obstacles.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So commences a night of harrowing encounters and trauma both physical and mental, starting with Ron and Mike’s trip to meet Oliver at a bar after one of his shows.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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When the Huskies lined up for a 50-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, Ben Barten’s outstretched hand met the ball, sending it skittering across the slick turf.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Tumble (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumble%20%28upon%29. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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