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
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Recent Examples of tumbling
The crash sent Newton’s black Dodge truck tumbling sideways across a bridge over Interstate 277.
—
Rod Boone, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Shiffrin sustained a puncture wound to her left abdomen after crashing into the side fencing after tumbling into two gates.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
Under her guidance, local athletes like ZaQuae Carter, BJ Mensah and Ty-La Morris have been tumbling around the world.
—Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Other wrestlers resemble gymnasts, cartwheeling and tumbling about.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumbling
Rod Boone, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Shiffrin sustained a puncture wound to her left abdomen after crashing into the side fencing after tumbling into two gates.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
Under her guidance, local athletes like ZaQuae Carter, BJ Mensah and Ty-La Morris have been tumbling around the world.
—Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Other wrestlers resemble gymnasts, cartwheeling and tumbling about.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumbling
Verb
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But despite the loss, Lucas was pleased with the way several of the players for the Golden Hawks (2-1) came through in the clutch and how the team battled back after falling behind 6-1.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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After falling behind by 11 during an uneven first half, the Celtics buried the Suns with a 50-11 run that stretched from midway through the second quarter until late in the third.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Just days after hard-launching her relationship with French filmmaker Romain Gavras, EmRata lounged in a plunging plush white robe while wearing nothing but some sparkling loud luxury accessories.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
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The plunging value of the rial was one trigger for protests that began in late December in Tehran’s main bazaar and then spiraled nationwide.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And Palantir cofounder Thiel has been disrupting the college-to-job pipeline for much longer.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
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The guest list is high-profile enough that the street in front of the building, a main artery in the city, is cordoned off for the entire evening, disrupting tram service, and dozens of police officers are stationed outside.—
Valeriya Safronova,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On even longer timescales, the remnant black holes that were created, whether from stellar explosions, neutron star mergers, a collapsing gas cloud, or having grown into supermassive behemoths, will all evaporate.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
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CDs were collapsing, streaming hadn’t yet found its footing, and most of the conversation centered on what was being lost.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mercader pushed Trotsky to the floor and, running and stumbling, escaped from the room.—
Josh Ireland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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He’s saved by a drunken Ser Arlan, who comes stumbling into the alley and instinctively follows his knightly code to defend the innocent.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sumney — who had roles in A24’s The Idol and MaXXXine — describes a common refrain among today’s recording artists dipping their toes into broader entertainment.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Feb. 2026
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But 2026 is likely the coldest winter in 16 years, with temperatures dipping as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit in January.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Around town, writers and directors went about their work with a kind of grim acceptance, like a farmer shuffling to his plow even as the tornado clouds above grow darker.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Feb. 2026
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This best-selling pair is ideal for mornings shuffling around the kitchen, foggy walks to the mailbox, and sitting through entire days of Zoom meetings.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The oar swung violently in its oarlock, knocking him into the river and crumpling the raft’s aluminum frame.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
11 Feb. 2026
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The sixth inning also featured a frightening moment when Cleveland’s David Fry, squaring around to bunt, took a 99 mph fastball from Skubal off his face, crumpling to the dirt as Skubal reacted with distress.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumbling. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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