as in mistakes
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 blows
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 gropes
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 stumbles
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 fumbles
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Dent forced fumbles on consecutive Patriots possessions, which Dan Hampton and Mike Singletary each recovered, recalled Mayer.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Numerous fumbles and interceptions by both teams highlighted by an offensive series by one team that lasted 14 seconds before punting.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
In the playoffs alone Maye has six fumbles, losing three of those.
—Trevor Woods, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In a single postseason, one player has had five fumbles and five interceptions.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
After six quarters of playoff football this winter, Stroud had five fumbles and five interceptions.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
Will Anderson forced two fumbles for the Texans.
—Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
Allen, who hadn’t turned the ball over in his previous six playoff appearances, threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles.
—Arnie Stapleton, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2026
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
Dante Moore fumbles and loses 11 yards, knocking Oregon out of field goal range and forcing them to punt after the interception.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
Texas kick returner Ryan Niblett gets blasted on a kick return and fumbles the ball, and Michigan takes advantage with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Kendrick Bell.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
Toney fumbles Malachi Toney fumbled near midfield.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
For the one who fumbles with matches Sleek, sustainable, and a satisfying way to light candles.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025
The premise has the potential for slapstick silliness, as an incompetent Seoul family fumbles its way through opening a hunting lodge in the Korean countryside.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
As Lester fumbles for his bird whistle in the fountain to activate the camera, he gets thrown back in this tussle with Tillman and is killed.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
However, with 14 interceptions and a dozen fumbles, Darnold remains a turnover machine relative to other quality starters across the league.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Dent forced fumbles on consecutive Patriots possessions, which Dan Hampton and Mike Singletary each recovered, recalled Mayer.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Numerous fumbles and interceptions by both teams highlighted by an offensive series by one team that lasted 14 seconds before punting.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
In the playoffs alone Maye has six fumbles, losing three of those.
—Trevor Woods, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In a single postseason, one player has had five fumbles and five interceptions.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
After six quarters of playoff football this winter, Stroud had five fumbles and five interceptions.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
Will Anderson forced two fumbles for the Texans.
—Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
Allen, who hadn’t turned the ball over in his previous six playoff appearances, threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles.
—Arnie Stapleton, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 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
Dante Moore fumbles and loses 11 yards, knocking Oregon out of field goal range and forcing them to punt after the interception.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
Texas kick returner Ryan Niblett gets blasted on a kick return and fumbles the ball, and Michigan takes advantage with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Kendrick Bell.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
Toney fumbles Malachi Toney fumbled near midfield.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
For the one who fumbles with matches Sleek, sustainable, and a satisfying way to light candles.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025
The premise has the potential for slapstick silliness, as an incompetent Seoul family fumbles its way through opening a hunting lodge in the Korean countryside.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
As Lester fumbles for his bird whistle in the fountain to activate the camera, he gets thrown back in this tussle with Tillman and is killed.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbles
Noun
-
This lens helps explain everything from investing mistakes and overspending to why some people quietly build wealth while others blow money in ways that, from the outside, look spectacularly dumb.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Players will now have the ability to correct mistakes by rewinding, as well as the option to save their progress.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Oscar nominee stars as struggling actor Shah Latif who, at first, blows a shot at the coveted role.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
-
An observer, with a capital O, with hard hands, is somebody that stands on the corner of their community and blows the whistle and makes a noise.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the video, a woman exposes herself and an officer, identified by investigators as Herman, gropes her, police said in a statement last year.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ennin gets up and stumbles down the block before collapsing next to a building.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
There’s a fine line between righteousness and self-satisfaction, and the second season, which premieres on HBO Max on January 8, frequently stumbles into the latter territory.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That was indicative of how Buffalo’s blunders proved costly.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Williamson County based Ramsey Solutions has also come up with an effective guide to avoid any regifting blunders.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But, as of Thursday’s close, before the print, Apple stock was up 4% so far this week, and finally looks ready to end its losing streak.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Its drawstring hood looks sleek but still keeps the cold out (simply adjust the fit to shield yourself from rain and snow), and its knee-length silhouette offers more coverage than traditional puffer jackets.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Shoelaces are scanned to ensure that no player trips and breaks bones.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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