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
The fountain, which resembles a tumbling mess of boxy concrete tubes, some nearly forty feet high, has long been controversial.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 16 Oct. 2025
The zoo has also shared videos of him tumbling and playing.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The 6-foot-7, 255-pound Zadorov plowed into Power with enough muscle to send the defenseman tumbling into Joonas Korpisalo’s lap on the Bruins bench.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
All the seats were occupied by cross and weary passengers, but Laura, with her unmistakable tumbling blue-black tresses, as heavy and shining as a bird’s wing—for me her hair was, literally, the crown of her loveliness—was not among them.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tumbling
News Desk, Artforum, 16 Oct. 2025
The zoo has also shared videos of him tumbling and playing.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The 6-foot-7, 255-pound Zadorov plowed into Power with enough muscle to send the defenseman tumbling into Joonas Korpisalo’s lap on the Bruins bench.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
All the seats were occupied by cross and weary passengers, but Laura, with her unmistakable tumbling blue-black tresses, as heavy and shining as a bird’s wing—for me her hair was, literally, the crown of her loveliness—was not among them.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tumbling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumbling
Verb
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This just makes the upcoming six-game homestand critical for the Wild in not falling too far behind in the Western Conference.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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After the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time since December 2024 last month, experts projected that rates would continue falling—even if ever so slightly.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Beyond Meat shares have collapsed over the past five years, starting with a 48% plunge in 2021 and plunging further until Roundhill Investments added the stock to its Roundhill Meme Stock ETF (MEME) on Monday.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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For the nuptials, Bella wore an plunging green gown with pleating on the bodice and a thigh-high slit up the floor-sweeping ruffled skirt.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This groundbreaking method could transform the way researchers study complex diseases, including cancer, without disrupting natural cellular processes.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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There has been a history of computer problems disrupting flights in the industry, though most of the time the disruptions are only temporary.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The robotics system will coordinate multiple robotic arms to perform many tasks at once, collapsing what used to be three separate robotic stations into one streamlined workspace that can pick, stow, and consolidate in a single place.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
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The risk of the roof collapsing prompted the city to take final action against the owner of the former bowling alley.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Footage of a father stumbling around, apparently carrying the headless body of his baby?—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
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Remaining unclaimed playoff spots The final two playoff spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs, with FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes all stumbling towards the finish line.—
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images Beyond Meat shares slashed gains Wednesday, briefly dipping into negative territory as the meme stock rally faltered.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
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The little brother is still contentedly working on his painting, dipping his brush into his pots and then smearing it across the paper.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The technology included corrupt automatic shuffling machines that read cards and predicted which player had the best hand.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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Card-reading contact lenses, X-ray poker tables, trays of poker chips that read cards, hacked shuffling machines that predict hands.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Singh’s truck blocked both lanes of the northbound Turnpike, leading the Chrysler Town & Country minivan the three friends were riding in to slam into the semi’s 18-wheeler trailer, crumpling underneath it.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumbling. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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