as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
my future father-in-law shook his head over my fumbled attempt to compliment his daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blew
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 looked
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 stumbled
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 fumbled
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
To do so, the Patriots must keep enough heat off Drake Maye, who has taken 10 sacks and fumbled six times in the playoffs.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Maye has been sacked 10 times in the last two games and fumbled six times.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026
But New England’s second-year quarterback has taken the most sacks of any quarterback in the playoffs; his completion percentage has sunk below 60% in two postseason games, and Maye has fumbled a whopping six times.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
This came one drive after Toney fumbled near midfield.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two in cold conditions with snow and rain falling throughout the game.
—Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
The 49ers offense turned it over on downs and fumbled on their first two possessions, respectively, and there was no coming back after that.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two in cold conditions in which snow and rain fell throughout the game.
—Kyle Hightower, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
In the preseason opener, Mahomes was on the field for three snaps after the Chiefs recovered a fumbled kickoff to open the game.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Payton fumbled on the second play from scrimmage, and the Patriots recovered at the Bears' 19-yard line.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
To do so, the Patriots must keep enough heat off Drake Maye, who has taken 10 sacks and fumbled six times in the playoffs.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Maye has been sacked 10 times in the last two games and fumbled six times.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026
But New England’s second-year quarterback has taken the most sacks of any quarterback in the playoffs; his completion percentage has sunk below 60% in two postseason games, and Maye has fumbled a whopping six times.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
This came one drive after Toney fumbled near midfield.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two in cold conditions with snow and rain falling throughout the game.
—Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
The 49ers offense turned it over on downs and fumbled on their first two possessions, respectively, and there was no coming back after that.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two in cold conditions in which snow and rain fell throughout the game.
—Kyle Hightower, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
-
The clumsy, confusing rollout of the fees certainly didn’t help — as many residents who were promised a locals discount couldn’t figure out how to tap that benefit.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Each additional finger adds mass, increasing the chances that fingers will collide, and making overall movement more clumsy.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In a December meeting, commissioners acknowledged customers’ frustrations, but added that the winds blew down hundreds of power lines onto the dry landscape.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Others banged on pots and pans and drums, blew whistles and honked car horns.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Out of the bloodstains shone a pair of bright blue eyes, and a heart was beating under the pallid skin that looked several sizes too big.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
For five years, detectives looked for Townsend.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some customers have stumbled upon the bubble waffle shop while scrolling on their phones.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Even some of the most sophisticated left-leaning groups have stumbled.—
Charles Duhigg,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Scenes around the dinner table are awkward to say the least, but Meg has a big supporter in bestie Penny (Sophia Torres) and a burning desire to bring this show to life against all odds.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
All four athletes stood together, smiling for photos through an undeniably awkward situation.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The sure-handed Doubs muffed the recovery with less than two minutes remaining and the Packers leading by 7.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Robinson muffed the second-half kickoff to pin the 49ers at their 12.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Previously, just one satellite in the program had reached low Earth orbit — NEONSAT-1, which flew atop an Electron in April 2024.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Once the lead reached 40 points late in the fourth quarter, the final minutes were played with a running clock.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Today, Morgan responded to some Good Morning Britain banter in which the show’s presenters jokingly suggested Morgan might have tripped after imbibing.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
19 Jan. 2026
-
The former was able to push the puck to Wyatt Kaiser and then tripped Mittelstadt, which allowed Kaiser to skate into the open slot unabated.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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