1
as in fumbled
to make a mistake
unnerved by her earlier missteps, the skater fluffed on the final jump as well
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in blew
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
I completely fluffed the introduction by calling the boss's wife by the wrong name
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fluffed
Sofa cushions, pillows, and throws would be fluffed and tidied and nearly all surfaces would receive a quick dusting.
—
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Newcastle talked the talk and then fluffed the walk, hobbling and tripping.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
The tiniest requests were dispensed with the utmost care; rooms were primped and fluffed three times a day; special requests for excursions efficiently booked; and dietary preferences noted and recalled with precision.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
Then tumble dry on no-heat with tennis balls to keep them fluffed.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
Hours later, the calf, fed and fluffed, took a spot on the couch with the Sorrell family’s two children.
—Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Hours later, the calf, fed and fluffed, took a spot on the couch with the Sorrell family's two children.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
For Jonathan Anderson’s vision of beauty at his first Dior women’s show in October, Guido Palau fluffed up models’ natural texture, not dissimilar from the windswept waves and pre-Raphaelite curls the hairstylist created for Veronica Leoni’s September Calvin Klein debut.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Newcastle talked the talk and then fluffed the walk, hobbling and tripping.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
The tiniest requests were dispensed with the utmost care; rooms were primped and fluffed three times a day; special requests for excursions efficiently booked; and dietary preferences noted and recalled with precision.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
Then tumble dry on no-heat with tennis balls to keep them fluffed.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
Hours later, the calf, fed and fluffed, took a spot on the couch with the Sorrell family’s two children.
—Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Hours later, the calf, fed and fluffed, took a spot on the couch with the Sorrell family's two children.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
For Jonathan Anderson’s vision of beauty at his first Dior women’s show in October, Guido Palau fluffed up models’ natural texture, not dissimilar from the windswept waves and pre-Raphaelite curls the hairstylist created for Veronica Leoni’s September Calvin Klein debut.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluffed
Verb
-
Trailing to Jule Brand's 19th-minute goal for record eight-time champion Lyon, Arsenal was gifted an equalizer in the 59th when Mariona Caldentey's low free kick into the area was fumbled backward by goalkeeper Christiane Endler and onto the post.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Critics say the Epstein files show how Republican and Democratic administrations alike fumbled the Epstein investigation over two decades, leaving potential coconspirators uncharged.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Amid chaotic scenes of masked immigration agents roaming neighborhood streets as protesters blew warning whistles, the operation led to two shootings by agents, including the fatal shooting in Franklin Park of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez in September.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In one video, Brittany and her friends could be seen laughing as their hair blew furiously in the wind.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After starting the season with the sixth-best odds to win the World Series, the Red Sox had stumbled out of the gate to a 10-17 record.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The president briefly stumbled before being assisted to a secure suite reserved for him behind the stage.—
Calvin Woodward,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Critics also complain that Dodge, known for its muscle cars, muffed its transition to hybrid power systems.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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But early in the second half, with the Seahawks leading 17-13, Smith muffed another kick and the Seahawks recovered the ball.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
It’s been all Atleti, but now Arsenal has been awarded a penalty after Eberechi Eze is tripped.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Space heaters provided heat, but the sloths were kept in the cold for at least one night after a fuse tripped.—
Ryan Brennan
April 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Padres fielders blundered in three of his outings.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
People see this president as having blundered into a war with no clear rationale.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fluffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluffed. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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