as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance
stumbled on some old family photos when she was cleaning out a drawer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumble (on or onto)
Verb
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Most of the trouble on this night came from starter Ryan Johnson’s inability to find the strike zone and the defense’s problems converting two plays that should have been made.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
31 Mar. 2026 -
The Will County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Monday that more remains have been found in the same location where the bones of a missing man were discovered last week.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In San Francisco, Louise encounters an influencer who asks strangers on the street to rate their happiness on the same scale.—
Nina Mesfin,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!—
Anthony Faiola,
Washington Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Stumble (on or onto).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumble%20%28on%20or%20onto%29. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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