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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plunging
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
stock prices tumbled after the earnings report was released
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tumbling
Kevin Spacey's personal house of cards is still tumbling down.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
The secrets tumbling out of the past double to inform our perception of the present, and they’re dispersed at a steady pace, which helps to keep us hooked.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
Cold front to send temperatures on Thursday tumbling into the 40s and 30s.
—Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
The tumbling Jazz, sitting their best players — injured and healthy — proved that again late Monday night in Utah by beating Golden State 119-116.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumbling
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
The secrets tumbling out of the past double to inform our perception of the present, and they’re dispersed at a steady pace, which helps to keep us hooked.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
Cold front to send temperatures on Thursday tumbling into the 40s and 30s.
—Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
The tumbling Jazz, sitting their best players — injured and healthy — proved that again late Monday night in Utah by beating Golden State 119-116.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tumbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumbling
Verb
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Conyears-Ervin, Chicago’s treasurer since 2019, launched her second bid for the seat after falling short of unseating incumbent Davis two years ago.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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In fact, the temperature at Camp Mabry, Austin’s main weather observation site, tied the record for the largest 24-hour temperature drop, falling 58 degrees from a high of 97 degrees Sunday afternoon to a low of 39 degrees Monday morning.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Illuminated against Austin’s panoramic skyline at Auditorium Shores, Christina Aguilera greeted the Sips & Sounds spectators in a plunging red latex bodysuit, matching elbow gloves and thigh-high black boots.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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That struggle hit a breaking point on March 16 with the collapse of Cuba's national electric grid, plunging 10 million people into darkness amid the oil blockade that has worsened the island's already outdated generation system.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil trade.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
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Iran itself is destroying homes and schools, killing and wounding dozens, and disrupting daily life, sometimes beyond recognition.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The pipe was being used as a retaining structure to keep the surrounding soil from collapsing during the operation, officials said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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The global leader in oilfield services trading as if energy demand were collapsing, despite one of the most volatile oil supply environments in decades.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The bubble was the softest in recent memory, with one team after another stumbling late in the season.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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The club can continue stumbling through an awkward, uncertain moment.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The colorful, flavorful wrappers are as fun as the fillings (which range from cilantro or kimchi pork to butternut squash and shrimp to tofu, mushroom and kale), and the variety of dipping sauces (classic, ginger smash, gochujang and old godmother spicy peanut) make every bite an adventure.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
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Highs climb from the low 80s Saturday, March 21, into the mid-80s Sunday, March 22, before dipping to the upper 60s–low 70s by midweek.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So what better way to cap all that off than closing out the Oscars — even if the clip played while the audience was shuffling out of the theater and calling their Ubers.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
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At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a CNN reporter saw chaotic scenes, with passengers shuffling from line to line.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kamau fading, then lunging, then crumpling to the pavement at the line.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
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The question is whether the world can take that long of a shock without crumpling beneath the weight of rising inflation and staggering growth.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumbling. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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