stumbled; stumbling
ˈstəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to fall into sin or waywardness
b
: to make an error : blunder
c
: to come to an obstacle to belief
2
: to trip in walking or running
3
a
: to walk unsteadily or clumsily
b
: to speak or act in a hesitant or faltering manner
4
a
: to come unexpectedly or by chance
stumble onto the truth
b
: to fall or move carelessly
Examples of stumble in a Sentence
Verb
I stumbled on the uneven pavement.
The horse stumbled and almost fell.
He stumbled drunkenly across the room.
He stumbled over to the table.
I heard him stumble over the unfamiliar words.
She stumbled through an apology.
The economy has stumbled in recent months.
Noun
was his hurtful remark a regrettable stumble, or was it made with artful intention?
has bones so brittle that a minor stumble could result in a serious break
Recent Examples on the Web
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Trone later responded to Vance’s attacks in a video posted to social media that included the clip of the vice president stumbling over her name.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
The apparent blackout followed by the stumble to get up from the player whose balance is always a spectacle.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumble
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Verb
Sabres winger Zach Benson took advantage of Lane Hutson stumbling at the defensive blue line, and grabbed a loose puck before setting up Josh Doan for the opening goal less than five minutes into the game.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Trone later responded to Vance’s attacks in a video posted to social media that included the clip of the vice president stumbling over her name.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Noun
Streep’s second go-round, by contrast, unfolds as a series of micro-indignities—a plunge from her Olympian perch, one stumble at a time.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
The apparent blackout followed by the stumble to get up from the player whose balance is always a spectacle.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Cite this Entry
“Stumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stumble. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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