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
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Henry had only lost two rushing fumbles in the fourth quarter or overtime in his previous nine seasons.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson had one of the best games of his career in the Patriots’ Week 2 win, then went on to lose two fumbles in vital situations Sunday in a 21-14 loss to the Steelers.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
The fumbles are something that can be corrected and is something that Henry has not dealt with in his career.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
There are devices on the market that help football teams practice how to force fumbles.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
In 140 career games, Clowney has 409 total tackles, 58 sacks, one interception, nine fumbles recoveries (three for a touchdown) and 108 tackles for loss.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Baltimore is smarting from that Monday home loss to Deroit -- but Crows would be 3-0 if not for a pair of Derrick Henry fumbles.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Drake London fumbles the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
Lake Mary’s O’Shea Faison fumbles after picking up the first down yardage.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
In his first nine full NFL seasons, Henry lost 10 fumbles, and just one last year.
—Verb
While both teams were in position to flip some results, the Ravens have to feel a little snakebitten with how their games have played out, including a couple of fourth-quarter Derrick Henry fumbles.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbles
Noun
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Barnett didn’t make many mistakes in his start.—
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And that issue — combined with several of his own mistakes — have made Tagovailoa one of the league’s worst quarterbacks on intermediate routes entering Week 4.—
Verb
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Advertisement Something about the investigation feels off, though—especially once Evelyn blows into the police station like a force of nature, directing officers who hang on her words.—
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The two Catholic Central League foes went back and forth, trading blows.—
Verb
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In the video, a woman exposes herself and an officer, identified by investigators as Herman, gropes her, police said in a statement last year.—
Verb
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After a rocky start, Joey stumbles on some talents and goes to great lengths to impress Leonard in his audition for a play.—
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Yet, when a star athlete—the rival who excels at everything—finally stumbles in a sport, a subtle surge of neurological pleasure briefly ignites.—
Noun
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Jones said the 49ers’ two biggest blunders Sunday were his fault.—
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Although a faux pas wasn't the case here, Roan has endured blunders in the past.—
Verb
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Ayo Edebiri made her Venice Film Festival debut last month in some of Matthieu Blazy’s first custom looks for Chanel.—
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The wash is even darker than Mindy’s, giving them an almost navy-like appearance that looks more polished for upscale dinners or social hours.—
Verb
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There are ghosts and spirits, horror episodes, trips back into the ‘70s, the odd touch of a Western.—
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Focusing on the lifestyle factor that most trips you up is likely to have a greater impact on your health, London said.—
Noun
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For years, following significant and continuous quality and safety errors, Boeing has been barred from certifying the safety of some of its own aircraft on behalf of the US government.—
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Stick season one featured some basic errors that jumped off the screen to golfers.—
Cite this Entry
“Fumbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbles. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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