fumbled; fumbling
ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly
b
: to make awkward attempts to do or find something
fumbled in his pocket for a coin
c
: to search by trial and error
d
: blunder
2
: to feel one's way or move awkwardly
3
a
: to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
b
: to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it
1
: to bring about by clumsy manipulation
2
a
: to feel or handle clumsily
b
: to deal with in a blundering way : bungle
3
: to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
4
a
: misplay
fumble a grounder
b
: to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running
Examples of fumble in a Sentence
Verb
She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.
They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.
He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.
He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.
Noun
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Branch, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
The Best Wireless Chargers to Refuel Your Phone (or Watch)
Stop fumbling for cables in the dark.
—Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 17 Feb. 2025
Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
And unsurprisingly, after a few public fumbles, Timberlake has leaned into this identity rather than shy away from it.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
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Verb
Messes: The Blue Jays are fumbling a star It’s been a tough few years for the Blue Jays and high-end baseball talent.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
The Best Wireless Chargers to Refuel Your Phone (or Watch)
Stop fumbling for cables in the dark.
—Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
Williams had two sacks and forced a fumble in that victory.
—Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
And unsurprisingly, after a few public fumbles, Timberlake has leaned into this identity rather than shy away from it.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fumble. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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