TUMBLING Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

tumbling

verb

Definition of tumbling

present participle of tumble

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

as in plunging

to go to a lower level especially abruptly stock prices tumbled after the earnings report was released

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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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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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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 When the servicer’s robotic arm touches a tumbling satellite, the force from that contact pushes the servicer back. — Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 22 July 2026 But its crude imports have fallen dramatically during the course of the war, tumbling below 8 million barrels per day from more than 12 million a day before the war, according to maritime data company Signal Ocean Research. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026 Front-load washers are gentler on delicate fabrics and use tumbling and soak time to clean effectively. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 20 July 2026 Fernandez should have pulled out but didn't, sending Cubarsi's body tumbling through the air. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 July 2026 The pickup appeared to veer off the roadway before tumbling down the mountainside and eventually coming to rest at the bottom of the cliff, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 The drug, called Wainua, was a core part of AstraZeneca’s plans to reach $80 billion in annual sales, and the news sent both companies’ stocks tumbling. — Jason Mast, STAT, 9 July 2026 Sexting in Suburbia probably has good intentions, but a film with such a dark plot as this probably shouldn’t include a scene in which a suicidal student opens up her locker to find a mountain of condoms tumbling out. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 Earlier this week, Sandy took an unexpected fledge after losing her balance and tumbling down the nest tree. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumbling

Verb

Buzzy semiconductor stocks that surged earlier this year have struggled to maintain their momentum, with the popular iShares Semiconductor index falling nearly 20% from its early-June peak.

— Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
That surpasses the original Galaxy Watch Ultra's 590mAh cell, which lasted 46 hours in my testing with the always-on display enabled, again falling just short of the company’s estimate (48 hours).

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026

Definition of falling

Verb

On July 26, the wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos modeled a plunging black bathing suit on her Instagram Stories.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 July 2026
The driver lost control of their vehicle in the 6900 block of South Cicero Avenue, plunging off the bridge carrying the roadway and colliding with a train box car below, police said.

— Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Definition of plunging

Verb

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics, pesticides, skincare products and food additives can interfere with hormone receptors and disturb reproductive hormone balance at younger ages.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Riverside County has embraced the approach in hopes of disrupting the drug trade and preventing overdoses.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of disrupting

Verb

In the seventh minute, Sonnett sprinted to challenge Pietra Tordin for the ball and seemed to make little contact before collapsing to the turf.

— Asli Pelit, New York Times, 25 July 2026
However, the industry recently faced a significant shakeout, with many firms collapsing amid platform crackdowns.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

Last year, a bison tragically boiled to death after stumbling into one of Yellowstone's hot springs.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
If your dog is stumbling, lethargic, vomiting, collapses or is unresponsive, contact a vet immediately while working to cool down your dog.

— Cody Godwin, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Definition of stumbling

Verb

Perhaps not for the fainthearted, this involves being gently slapped with oak branches in the sauna before dipping into a bracing cold plunge (rinse and repeat).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026
More footage shot inside the disco shows the Real Madrid hunk grabbing Exposito, dipping her down and giving her a big kiss in front of everyone.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Definition of dipping

Verb

Pre-shot routines such as Patrick Cantlay’s foot-shuffling and Brian Harman’s waggles have driven golf fans up a wall.

— Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Far more than an administrative exercise or paper-shuffling task, effective onboarding has the potential to lay the foundation for not only a successful hire, but for a mutually satisfying employment tenure.

— Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of shuffling

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