as in uncomfortable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blowing
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 groping
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 stumbling
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbling
Adjective
-
The traditional process of quitting a job has always been a personal, often uncomfortable experience.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025 -
Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of State, appeared visibly uncomfortable as the meeting deteriorated.—
Faith E. Pinho,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The atmosphere is laid-back, with a minimalist but cozy interior - think wooden shelves stacked with bottles, a long communal table, and a warm, unpretentious vibe.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Similarly, Hey Buddy Hey Pal expects some families may opt to purchase wooden eggs instead of real ones.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Cardinale expressed concern that many will be looking to exploit any potential flaws in the prosecution's case.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Here’s what to know A CT city is looking into use of red light, speed cameras.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Don't Use An Extension Cord In general, extension cords aren't a great idea because of the tripping hazard and the potential for overheating.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2025
-
For older people with weaker bones, tripping while walking can sometimes cause a fracture.—
Maggie Aime, MSN,
Health,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Theirs is a different reality Part of Williams reaching his potential will involve taking fewer sacks.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Chicago was getting freezing drizzle and then temperatures potentially reaching into the mid-to-upper 20s.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
As Andy Kaufman, Nicholas Braun has just the right gawky awkwardness, and his brief, odd, mostly silent appearances in the first half of the film delightfully pay off near the climax.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Sep. 2024
-
All the money her father had left them was put toward his daughters’ private education, but she was ostracized by wealthy classmates who bullied her for being too poor, too gawky and too dark-skinned.—
Kyle Buchanan,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Examples imported from 1975 through 1985 had rather ungainly impact bumpers, so early, chrome-bumper cars are aesthetically more desirable.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
21 Feb. 2025
-
You're locked into an ungainly, spread armed, weak kneed Character: snowplow.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The character first appears in the franchise’s original film Scream (1996) as the older brother of Tatum Riley (Rose McGowan) and the clumsy police deputy trying to help solve the murders in their town of Woodsboro.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Aviles’ dismissal, for a clumsy challenge on the edge of the penalty area, seemed set to turn the game.—
Martin Rogers,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Fumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbling. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share