as in mistakes
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
when she was told her information was wrong, she apologized for the flub and immediately corrected it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in fumbles
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
added too much flour and flubbed the gravy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stumbles
to make a mistake
at some point in your training you're going to flub, so don't let it rattle you
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 flubs
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Although several early romances blossom, some misguided flubs send four sexy singles to the chopping block.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
There have been some high-profile flubs, however, including Netflix and Tesla .
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
The examples of late-game flubs are, unfortunately, endless.
—Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
Bahr sees this as being connected to policy flubs and misdirection.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Character animations are slick, but reliable in their control and inertia — rarely leading to flubs caused by anything other than player error.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Charu Sinha, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
Flores was brilliant this season, but the shine on his achievements was somewhat muted by the team’s flubs.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Although several early romances blossom, some misguided flubs send four sexy singles to the chopping block.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
There have been some high-profile flubs, however, including Netflix and Tesla .
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
The examples of late-game flubs are, unfortunately, endless.
—Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
Bahr sees this as being connected to policy flubs and misdirection.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Character animations are slick, but reliable in their control and inertia — rarely leading to flubs caused by anything other than player error.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
Padilla flubs a line in this version, but the sketch is somehow the better for it.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flubs
Noun
-
Gulutzan is just hopeful that his team can learn from its mistakes.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In environments where young people have few chances to recover from mistakes, those mistakes can be much more damaging, and the temptations can feel more overwhelming.—
Mark Mitchell,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Seahawks are a high-turnover team on both sides of the ball, but the 49ers have forced just two takeaways in the season series — both fumbles in the opener.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Honda backs up a few feet as the agent fumbles at the door handle.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Repeatedly, the project seems to transcend the projects, defying gravity in its poetic depiction of how this resilient, supportive community comes together around Lil Ant, stepping in where his father stumbles to embrace the boy.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Soon after, Bradley stumbles on Zuri’s body and confronts Linda, resulting in a brutal fight that includes stabbing, scalp ripping, and some really upsetting eye gouging.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
An Italian Winter Olympics broadcaster who was on the mic for the opening ceremony before the Milan Cortina Games began last week faced immense backlash and a strike call for numerous blunders during the show.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But that’s only because of the multiple strategic blunders from the summer that were Ctrl-Z’d in the swap.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Seeking changes Like much of Connecticut, Brookfield already experiences poor air quality and particulate-matter pollution that blows into the state from the west.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
-
And the spending rarely stops when the final whistle blows.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The resulting rambles through town, aboard motorcycle taxis on which all three pile up along with the drivers, become, for Folarin, trips through his own memories.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Boat trips with the hotel’s fleet of luxury liners or a heli ride take you island-hopping to Hydra and Spetses.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Transcript text may be revised to correct errors or match updates to audio.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Texas coach Vic Schaefer has also yanked post players Justice Carlton and Ashton Judd after on-court errors in the first half, and the Longhorns entered this timeout with four guards and Oldacre on the court.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flubs. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
