FUMBLES Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

fumbles 1 of 2

noun

plural of fumble

as in mistakes

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fumbles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of fumble

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gropes

to search for something blindly or uncertainly the librarian fumbled for the light switch as she entered the dark room

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as in stumbles

to make a mistake just when it looked like he was going to get away with the ruse, he fumbled

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of fumbles

Noun

Gilman recorded his share of takeaways with his original team, the Chargers, collecting five interceptions, forcing five fumbles and recovering six over six seasons in Los Angeles. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 The Vikings overcame two lost fumbles inside the 20-yard line, one the Saints used as a catalyst for their only offensive touchdown of the afternoon and one that was returned for a score. — CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Willis fumbles After the Dolphins forced a Cincinnati punt, Willis fumbled -- his third in three games. — Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026 Rizzi pointed out that Hester had 41 fumbles in his career, including eight in his rookie season. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026 Senior defensive backs Ulices Barrera and Anthony Gonzalez had forced fumbles for turnovers for the Tomcats. — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 The unit recovered a pair of fumbles against Sweeny and limited the Bulldogs to three points in the first half. — Jon Poorman, Houston Chronicle, 28 Sep. 2026 John Mateer, once among the Heisman Trophy favorites, was harassed into a 25-of-34 passing day that included an interception and two fumbles that led to 14 Georgia points. — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026 But the second-year QB also turned the ball over three times, twice on fumbles and on an interception by cornerback Hezekiah Masses that set up the Raiders' final scoring drive. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

So the associate who fumbles a membership conversation doesn’t need a lecture. — Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 DeLand was driving inside the 20 yard line and Taihj Moore fumbles, recovered by Lake Mary. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026 Buford scored 17 points off three Gainesville fumbles on punt plays. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Sims catches a hitch and turns up field but fumbles the ball while switching hands. — Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 Tensions between the galley and the interior continue to escalate over lunch service, when a radio mishap fumbles the order in which the food should go out. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026 The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 May 2026 If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred. — Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026 The Seahawks are a high-turnover team on both sides of the ball, but the 49ers have forced just two takeaways in the season series — both fumbles in the opener. — Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbles

Noun

Cases can be delayed with different tactics, including intimidation, corruption and procedural mistakes that can reduce charges or even lead to acquittals, said Carole Grace Mbarga, a Cameroonian rights activist.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Common kitchen layout mistakes can make your space dysfunctional and uninviting.

— Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistakes

Verb

Miami fans had plenty to stress about as the UM offense misfired and Florida State responded to potential knockout blows with huge plays.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
But when the final whistle blows, another job is often waiting for them the next morning.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of blows

Verb

The film will follow a boy (Leber), left to his own devices, who stumbles upon a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
While going through Verity’s files, Lowen stumbles on her memoir, an alleged confession.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumbles

Noun

Holding her tongue is not Kate’s forte in general, and the severity of Todd’s avalanche of blunders in their meeting with the British foreign secretary tests the outer limits of her ability.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Nevertheless, Muse’s early days were filled with security and privacy blunders.

— Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of blunders

Verb

Joe Burrow bungles Bengals’ passing game My theory of the case with Caleb Williams is that there was untapped running value here.

— Michael Salfino, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025

Definition of bungles

Verb

The asymmetrical hemline of the sweater is right on trend and makes the whole look feel much more intentional, while the slouchy silhouette still looks polished enough for a coffee run after landing.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
How the stadium looks reflects UConn’s potential for playing in the big time.

— Eric Womack, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of looks

Verb

And as the cops try to arrest them, only to realize their own jails aren’t accessible, the film expresses perfectly how the government trips over its own feet while resisting inevitable change.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Wheeler trips more often now and no longer rides his scooter around the cul de sac because of his deteriorating vision and poor coordination.

— Gerry Smith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of trips

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fumblers

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Style

“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fumbles

noun

verb

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