1
as in jumbles
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
cleaned a crazy tumble of buttons, hair bands, loose change, and old candy wrappers out from the couch cushions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in messes
a state in which everything is out of order
her office is a tumble of books and papers, but somehow she can find everything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stumbles
to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily
the infant stood for a moment and then tumbled on the carpet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plunges
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
stock prices tumbled after the earnings report was released
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disrupts
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
tumbled all the clothes in her closet as she furiously searched for her favorite pair of jeans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in collapses
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
all we need is one strong wind, and that old barn is going to tumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tumbles
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Water tumbles from cliffs like silk ribbons with Staubbach Falls drifting beside charming chalets trimmed in geraniums.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
In the Bahe River in central China, the slow-flowing water tumbles over stones and zigzags between towering hills.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
At only 20 feet high, Abrams Falls’ stature isn’t its most impressive quality; however, the sheer force of water that tumbles down it is an experience to enjoy with several senses—certainly sight, but also sound and feel too.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
According to Burlison, the video shows a high-speed object—presumably the missile—hitting the orb, which then deforms, tumbles, and sheds smaller fragments, one barely visible.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Water tumbles from cliffs like silk ribbons with Staubbach Falls drifting beside charming chalets trimmed in geraniums.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
In the Bahe River in central China, the slow-flowing water tumbles over stones and zigzags between towering hills.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, Múlafossur Waterfall tumbles into the Atlantic below—its roar softened by Northern Fulmars wheeling overhead.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
At only 20 feet high, Abrams Falls’ stature isn’t its most impressive quality; however, the sheer force of water that tumbles down it is an experience to enjoy with several senses—certainly sight, but also sound and feel too.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumbles
Noun
-
These exercises are purpose-made to help users develop necessary skills while largely avoiding sliding, leading to fewer falls.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
For those taking multiple FRIDs, the risks were even higher, with 22% more total falls and 33% more injurious falls.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, when a star athlete—the rival who excels at everything—finally stumbles in a sport, a subtle surge of neurological pleasure briefly ignites.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Daniel, meanwhile, stumbles upon Laura's phone, which fell under a side table during her fight with Cherry, and listens to the recording of Cherry's mom, Tracey (Karen Henthorn), warning that her daughter is darker and more vengeful than Daniel ever knew.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Stardust Racers, the sinewy roller coaster that towers over Epic Universe, shoots bodies through the sky at more than 60 miles an hour and plunges them toward the surface of the Earth from the height of a 10-story building.—
Bianca Bosker,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Regardless, that slight is the last thing Prater hears before Dexter plunges a knife into his heart.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Fall fatigue is often linked to the decrease in sunlight, which disrupts your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) and can lower serotonin levels, a key mood-regulating hormone.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Creating a hostile environment that disrupts the event or puts others at risk.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On recovery, the fan collapses just as quickly, reducing drag.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Just moments later, the robot slips on a carpet and collapses to the ground, only to spring back upright in less than a second.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Our role as a retailer is to translate these shifts into experiences and assortments that resonate with how our customers live, work and express themselves.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Fiddelke faces significant challenges—revamping product assortments, enhancing stores, and upgrading technology to compete against Amazon, Walmart, and Costco.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The oven is no stranger to spills and food particles.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The light, water-resistant fabric keeps clothes safe from accidental spills and can bear the hard wear of travel days.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Other cuts start as pop songs before crashing into atonal messes and freak rock chaos.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
It’s equipped with strong suction to suck up small messes in tricky spots around the house and in the car.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tumbles. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share