as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
my future father-in-law shook his head over my fumbled attempt to compliment his daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blew
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 looked
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 stumbled
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 fumbled
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Progressives fumbled their 2022 campaigns for the seat, when multiple candidates with left-wing credentials knocked each other out, letting Goldman prevail with just 26% of the vote.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Gipson fumbled away the kickoff after the Warren touchdown and the Steelers recovered, deep in Jets territory.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
First, Daniels fumbled the ball that KU recovered in its own end zone, leading to a safety and possession for MU.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Tommy Maher muffed one punt deep in his own territory and fumbled at the end of a long return on another.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
After leading 14-0 at halftime, Rancho Bernardo fumbled on their second-half opening drive before forcing Brawley to turn the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod fumbled after catching a pass on the Broncos’ first drive.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
Then the rookie fumbled late in the first quarter and absorbed a huge hit that prompted the concussion spotter to pull him off the field for an evaluation.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In the preseason opener, Mahomes was on the field for three snaps after the Chiefs recovered a fumbled kickoff to open the game.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
There was no ninth-inning drama like Saturday in Baltimore, when Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the bullpen fumbled away a chance at a victory.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Progressives fumbled their 2022 campaigns for the seat, when multiple candidates with left-wing credentials knocked each other out, letting Goldman prevail with just 26% of the vote.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Gipson fumbled away the kickoff after the Warren touchdown and the Steelers recovered, deep in Jets territory.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
First, Daniels fumbled the ball that KU recovered in its own end zone, leading to a safety and possession for MU.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Tommy Maher muffed one punt deep in his own territory and fumbled at the end of a long return on another.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
After leading 14-0 at halftime, Rancho Bernardo fumbled on their second-half opening drive before forcing Brawley to turn the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod fumbled after catching a pass on the Broncos’ first drive.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
Then the rookie fumbled late in the first quarter and absorbed a huge hit that prompted the concussion spotter to pull him off the field for an evaluation.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbled
Adjective
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The rubber sole is also important for clumsy gals like myself.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Camels seem slow, hippos clumsy, phoenixes unstable, lions lazy.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Cleveland Browns blew both a golden opportunity at what would’ve been the surprise upset of Week 1 and a chance to add to the Cincinnati Bengals’ early-season misery of the past few years.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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On a 3rd and 1, Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt got a first down with the help of Kelce blocking on the line, but the tight end blocked a little bit longer after the whistle blew.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The new displays and interior materials looked and felt good.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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On paper, the American team looked formidable, boasting Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and other stars.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And arguing with the benefits of a difficult tuneup game can be a useless point, especially as Napier stumbled in from a practice that ran almost 10 minutes long, gearing up for USF.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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Closer Bryan Abreu stumbled but has earned the benefit of the doubt with the dominance he’s displayed.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After a 21-year absence from Wrigley Field that ended earlier this summer, the weekend ceremonies seemed to signal the conclusion to an awkward, ongoing saga.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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However, nothing negates the unique way in which people from the South embrace socializing with each other, which brings us to a potentially awkward situation that arises often enough and gives grief to even the most polite Southerners.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Tommy Maher muffed one punt deep in his own territory and fumbled at the end of a long return on another.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Arkansas State reached the Arkansas 1 early in the fourth quarter, but running back Kenyon Clay was stopped short by Charlie Collins and Caleb Wooden on fourth-and-goal to preserve a 49-14 lead.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
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The zany battle reached a dramatic conclusion when Thing ripped Isaac’s mechanical heart from his chest, ending his life… again.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Finn simply tripped in an environment that was not set up to be safe for him.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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The mascot tripped in the end zone and its head popped off.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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