fumbling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fumblingnext
as in uncomfortable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fumbling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fumble
1
as in blowing
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 groping
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 stumbling
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbling
  1. uncomfortable
  2. wooden
  3. looking
  4. tripping
  5. reaching
  6. gawky
  7. ungainly
  8. clumsy
Adjective
  • Not only is this uncomfortable, but scratching (which is hard to resist) can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.
    — Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Because that bigger picture is a murky, uncomfortable state.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of uncomfortable
Adjective
  • Boating accidents are common in Congo, where old, wooden vessels are the main form of transport between villages and are often loaded far beyond capacity.
    — FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This is where the immortal pumps, kitten heels, and even boho wooden platforms come into play.
    — Renata Joffre, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of wooden
Verb
  • Italy wing-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo (No 22) started the inquest, pointing with his right arm and looking in the direction of his central-defender team-mate Alessandro Bastoni.
    — Stuart James, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • In doing so, their press suffered, looking disjointed.
    — Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of looking
Verb
  • Don't Use An Extension Cord In general, extension cords aren't a great idea because of the tripping hazard and the potential for overheating.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
  • For older people with weaker bones, tripping while walking can sometimes cause a fracture.
    — Maggie Aime, MSN, Health, 25 Dec. 2024
Definition of tripping
Verb
  • Theirs is a different reality Part of Williams reaching his potential will involve taking fewer sacks.
    — Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Chicago was getting freezing drizzle and then temperatures potentially reaching into the mid-to-upper 20s.
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of reaching
Adjective
  • Brittany Murphy, who co-starred as gawky new kid Tai, sadly passed away in 2009.
    — Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 17 Apr. 2025
  • A far cry from the gawky and boyish Norman Bates, B.Z. is a floppy-haired, closeted Hollywood player slowly dissolving in his own nihilism.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of gawky
Adjective
  • That dispute was patched over by an ungainly agreement, negotiated between the European Commission and the U.S. government.
    — Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Examples imported from 1975 through 1985 had rather ungainly impact bumpers, so early, chrome-bumper cars are aesthetically more desirable.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of ungainly
Adjective
  • Imagine being cuddled by long-legged, clumsy poodles.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 20 Apr. 2025
  • That’s — actually kind of genius, especially if the Poet was a clumsy fella who needed that kind of precautionary measure.
    — Sara Netzley, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of clumsy
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.

Browse Nearby Words

fumbles
fumbling
fume
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“Fumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbling. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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