as in mistakes
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blows
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 gropes
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 stumbles
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
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Recent Examples of fumbles
Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
The Red Hawks lost two fumbles in the red zone.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
The Griffins also recovered four fumbles.
—Steve Dulas, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
No interceptions thrown, no fumbles lost and just four penalties for 40 yards.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Quarterback Devin Farrell threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns while avoiding interceptions, orchestrating a comeback following three first‑half fumbles.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Texas went on a 28-0 run during a stretch that saw the Spartans commit three more turnovers (one interception and two fumbles).
—Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Despite all the fumbles and mishaps of teaching journalism to a very green staff of (mostly) volunteers, season 1 of The Paper ends on a high note with the Toledo Truth Teller being nominated for three awards.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Mack left Chicago having totaled 36 sacks, 35 tackles for a loss, 52 quarterback hits, 14 forced fumbles and two interceptions in 53 games over four seasons.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
Tagovailoa has also thrown an interception, lost two fumbles and taken nine sacks.
—Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
The Red Hawks lost two fumbles in the red zone.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
The Griffins also recovered four fumbles.
—Steve Dulas, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
No interceptions thrown, no fumbles lost and just four penalties for 40 yards.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Quarterback Devin Farrell threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns while avoiding interceptions, orchestrating a comeback following three first‑half fumbles.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Texas went on a 28-0 run during a stretch that saw the Spartans commit three more turnovers (one interception and two fumbles).
—Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Despite all the fumbles and mishaps of teaching journalism to a very green staff of (mostly) volunteers, season 1 of The Paper ends on a high note with the Toledo Truth Teller being nominated for three awards.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Mack left Chicago having totaled 36 sacks, 35 tackles for a loss, 52 quarterback hits, 14 forced fumbles and two interceptions in 53 games over four seasons.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
Lake Mary’s O’Shea Faison fumbles after picking up the first down yardage.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbles
Noun
-
Rinzel has already been hit up by some of the other prospects for his perspective on rookie camp, on the climb to the NHL and the developmental process, on how to play with aggression and the confidence to make plays rather than with hesitation and the fear of making mistakes.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
If the Wildcats cut back on their mistakes.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
What happens if this group blows a few late leads early in this season?—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Paul finds out and blows his top.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the video, a woman exposes herself and an officer, identified by investigators as Herman, gropes her, police said in a statement last year.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As first reported by Deadline, the plot follows a boy who stumbles upon a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music, after which a hidden door to the extraordinary swings open.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The trio stumbles upon a crucial piece of evidence - and promptly compromises it.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Buffalo, known for end-of-half blunders in past years, scored a field goal as the first half expired after moving the ball 48 yards in three plays (including a spike).—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Since the election, Reform has tried to refashion itself from a protest vote party to one that could govern – untried and inexperienced, but ready to step in if the Labour Party buckles under its own blunders, and the once-mighty Conservatives drift further into political irrelevance.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But that defense honestly looks pretty weak in light of the federal government’s contention that Google has a search monopoly, controlling nearly 90% of the market.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
As Orlean jots down that last bit, Laroche looks shocked—but also a little charmed.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Several videos begin with Taddese’s friend, who wore a white shirt and gray pants, pushing a persondown as that individual trips him.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
-
In Bora Bora, trips with Bora Diving Center (by Eleuthera) are another good bet for seeing mantas and schooling eagle rays within the famous lagoon.—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Red Sox committed three errors, including two by second baseman David Hamilton.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Cordell report has since been discredited — missing transcripts, factual errors and even confusion of key witnesses.—
Matthew J. Frauenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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