fumbled; fumbling
ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly
b
: to make awkward attempts to do or find something
fumbled in his pocket for a coin
c
: to search by trial and error
d
: blunder
2
: to feel one's way or move awkwardly
3
a
: to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a ground ball
b
: to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it
1
: to bring about by clumsy manipulation
2
a
: to feel or handle clumsily
b
: to deal with in a blundering way : bungle
3
: to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
4
a
: misplay
fumble a ground ball
b
: to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running
Examples of fumble in a Sentence
Verb
She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.
They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.
He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.
He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.
Noun
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Recent Examples on the Web
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Replacement players have been ridiculous for years, going back to 2009-10, when Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard made the grade by going 7-9, throwing 15 TDs with 10 interceptions and fumbling a league-worst 14 times.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Maye lost the football for a second fumble in the game.
—February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
Do not fumble this opportunity to select a governor that is a true progressive candidate.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Replacement players have been ridiculous for years, going back to 2009-10, when Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard made the grade by going 7-9, throwing 15 TDs with 10 interceptions and fumbling a league-worst 14 times.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Seattle defined this for the defense-wins-championships crowd with six sacks, three takeaways and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Maye lost the football for a second fumble in the game.
—February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fumble. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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