as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to blow
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
her assistant fumbled the party plans by getting the time wrong on the invitations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grope
to search for something blindly or uncertainly
the librarian fumbled for the light switch as she entered the dark room
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
just when it looked like he was going to get away with the ruse, he fumbled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fumble
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
As Horton made the catch and took two steps, Coney punched the ball loose, resulting in a drive-ending fumble.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Noun
Rodriguez is a turnover machine (four interceptions, seven forced fumbles last year) with outstanding instincts and feel in zone coverage.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
As Horton made the catch and took two steps, Coney punched the ball loose, resulting in a drive-ending fumble.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
In the 88th minute, Neuer fumbled a routine shot and allowed Joselu to equalise.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumble
Noun
-
Unfortunately, admitting mistakes doesn’t come easily for many people.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
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To avoid this big mistake, figure out in advance exactly how deep the hole should be, and be careful not to dig any deeper.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The family documents describe comfortable lives and prosperous businesses blown apart by the war and the mounting Nazi menace.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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The focus narrows in on the remaining passengers and crew in the main sections of the aircraft not blown to bits, the cockpit and a stretch of the main cabin (finally, a reward for flying coach), precariously perched on a reef outcrop.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My body, however, had become an object of desire—I was catcalled, harassed, or groped on the way home from the movies or school.—
Leila Mottley,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
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Police are looking for a man who has groped at least two women recently at the Silver Lake Reservoir.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During a routine survey in preparation for a housing development in Winsch, local authorities stumbled upon the former Roman camp in August 2025.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
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Clemson also stumbled to a 7-6 mark, a year after registering a 10-4 record in 2024.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Brown could have made a change to the starting lineup, as some expected after a blunder of a Mikal Bridges performance (zero points, four turnovers) in the Knicks’ Game 3 loss at State Farm Arena on Thursday.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Casey Schmitt made up for a baserunning blunder with a two-run homer, Drew Gilbert and Heliot Ramos added solo shots and the San Francisco Giants evened their three-game home series against the Miami Marlins at a game apiece with a 6-2 triumph Saturday afternoon.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dreyer lobbed a pass that Marcus Ingvartsen booted home, capitalizing on Christopher McVey’s header attempt.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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His original boss, national security adviser Mike Waltz, was booted to the United Nations after the Signalgate scandal, leaving the role to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was already juggling portfolios and is busier now with Iran.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nikita Kucharov had a huge tying goal in Game 2, but otherwise had looked frustrated in his ability to produce more offense.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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He’s proven to be exactly what Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc was looking for .—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Because Hathaway was penalized for tripping Elmer Soderblom and and roughing Malkin, in addition to Konecny's roughing minor, Pittsburgh received a power-play.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumble. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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