1
as in falling
to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily
the infant stood for a moment and then tumbled on the carpet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plunging
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
stock prices tumbled after the earnings report was released
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disrupting
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
tumbled all the clothes in her closet as she furiously searched for her favorite pair of jeans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in collapsing
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
all we need is one strong wind, and that old barn is going to tumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tumbling
Stock indexes in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan have clinched fresh records in recent trading sessions, bouncing back after tumbling in March.
—
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Instead, millions watched as Vonn's arm clipped a gate just 13 seconds into the race, a mistake that flung her body into the air and sent her tumbling down the hill.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026
Of My Own Making opens when, after a decade of productive therapy, Burke discovers a photo of the car accident that took her beloved grandmother’s life, and thirty years of unprocessed grief and trauma come tumbling out.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The only injuries were likely sustained by guests and banquet staff tumbling over one another to hide under tables.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumbling
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Instead, millions watched as Vonn's arm clipped a gate just 13 seconds into the race, a mistake that flung her body into the air and sent her tumbling down the hill.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026
Of My Own Making opens when, after a decade of productive therapy, Burke discovers a photo of the car accident that took her beloved grandmother’s life, and thirty years of unprocessed grief and trauma come tumbling out.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The only injuries were likely sustained by guests and banquet staff tumbling over one another to hide under tables.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumbling
Verb
-
Oakland's housing market is seeing some of the steepest price declines in the country, with home values falling sharply as sellers, buyers and real estate agents navigate a difficult market.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
Despite this spark of hope, by his teens, Ian’s dreams of becoming a soccer player are falling apart as rejection, oppression and his own internal rage take their toll.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Netflix is plunging deeper into the Harlan Coben business with a new series based on his Myron Bolitar novels.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
The actress and singer wore a plunging one-piece for the beachside photoshoot, which was captured by photographer Kat Irlin in South Caicos.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The Port of Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport endured a cyberattack in August 2024 initiated by a ransomware group that caused some IT system outages disrupting Wi-Fi, facility websites, flight display screens and check-in kiosks.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
The process of how art gets made seems to change every day, with new technologies disrupting old workflows and evolving methods of distribution and monetization.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
There have been 22 reports of the stools collapsing, with six injuries, including bruising and scrapes.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Cuba’s economy, which has been in a steep decline for several years, has hit rock bottom, and the population has been enduring shortages, blackouts and the effects of collapsing infrastructure.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
America is building the world’s most powerful artificial intelligence but stumbling badly in applying it.—
Drew Cukor,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
The mood in Venice is still borderline ecstatic, full of gossip, parties, and people chatting about art in their respective cities, trading business cards, discovering new talent, eating, drinking, and stumbling around, running into old friends.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The strength of that belief has fluctuated, dipping sharply after their March defeat by City before rising again in recent weeks.—
Ayo Akinwolere,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
Home values have a habit of falling just when your job security may be dipping, too.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Facebook groups and other online communities have sprung up around shuffling, allowing expats navigating all sorts of situations to compare notes and share strategies.—
Carole Rosenblat,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
But sometimes, simply shuffling the pieces can help, in our view.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Moses Moody scored 23 points before crumpling to the floor with an apparently serious left knee injury late in overtime as the Golden State Warriors beat Dallas 137-131 on Monday night, extending the Mavericks' home losing streak to 12 games, their longest in 32 years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Late on, with the game already won, James Garner and substitute Merlin Rohl chased Enzo Fernandez, sending him crumpling to the turf.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumbling. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
