flub 1 of 2

noun

Definition of flubnext
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy when she was told her information was wrong, she apologized for the flub and immediately corrected it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flub

2 of 2

verb

ˈfləb How to pronounce flub (audio)
1
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way added too much flour and flubbed the gravy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stumble
to make a mistake at some point in your training you're going to flub, so don't let it rattle you

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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 flub
Noun
Picking up on Graham’s debate flub regarding Taiwan, Andrews is trying to arrange a pair of general election debates with Graham. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Watch Wilson discuss his Legally Blonde character flub in the video above. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Verb
During a critical game five matchup in Oklahoma City earlier this week, refs flubbed a major out-of-bounds call at a crucial point in the later half of the game. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 28 May 2026 Both there and in Saturday’s F1 Sprint race, Antonelli flubbed the start or got dusted off the line, depending on your point of view. — David J. Neal updated May 2, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for flub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flub
  1. mistake
  2. fumble
  3. stumble
  4. blunder
  5. blow
  6. trip
  7. error
  8. botch
Noun
  • And if so, did Democrats make a mistake by not investing earlier?
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Tampa Bay, which won the AL pennant by forcing opponents into mistakes, committed one error, made two other misplays that could have been charged as errors and had a runner thrown out at the plate.
    — Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of mistake
Verb
  • On the first play of Rutgers' next drive, Surace was sacked at the Rutgers 8 and fumbled with Northwestern’s Jamaal Johnson recovering.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Chiefs actually missed a 43-yard field goal that would have won the game in regulation — after Justin Houston forced Lamar Jackson to fumble — but won the game with a short kick in overtime.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fumble
Verb
  • There was upset after upset, and a few teams were on the verge of stumbling as well.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Next week will bring major risks for a stock market that's trying to find its footing as the AI trade continues to stumble, with several megacap earnings, a Federal Reserve meeting and a key inflation report in store.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stumble
Noun
  • Burks said that leadership blunders are at the problem’s crux.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski held the Rays to just one run in his five innings, but certainly not without the help of some Rays baserunning blunders.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of blunder
Verb
  • These higher-than-usual high tides are supercharged by winds blowing onshore, pushing more seawater on land.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • While Healey is expected to let a reduction in his fiscal buffer do most of the work on the basis that the Iran war has blown a hole in his accounts, tax increases are still likely.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Doing so tripped Sixers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, and the nearest official immediately whistled for an offensive foul, Towns’ second inside the first four minutes of the season opener.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Even after Ball tripped Adebayo and knocked him out of the Heat-Charlotte Hornets play-in tournament game early last season, Spoelstra said the Heat left that moment in the past when asked about the play prior to Wednesday’s season opener.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of trip
Noun
  • Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler lead Lakers past the Clippers in an error-prone game.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The two-point difference is within the poll’s margin of error.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of error
Verb
  • Continue reading … NOT ENOUGH — Kash Patel demands apology from MS NOW following botched Russia report.
    — , FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Alou reacted demonstrably, and the Marlins went on to score eight runs in the inning, sending 12 batters to the plate, as Cubs shortstop Alex Gonzalez botched a routine double-play ball.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of botch

Browse Nearby Words

flows
flub
flubbed
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Cite this Entry

“Flub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flub. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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