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

That sets up what could be a wild night at Soldier Field, pitting a Bears defense that is known for turning the ball over against a Pats offense that has turned it over 13 times, including six of 11 fumbles lost. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 Las Vegas forced nine turnovers over the first three weeks — five fumbles and four interceptions. — ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026 Alabama lost two fumbles, and Russell threw two interceptions. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 While Gutierrez has been productive, his performance has not been spotless, as he was tagged for two fumbles against both Tulsa and UAB. — Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026 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

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

Containing the ground game could put Seattle in predictable passing situations, giving the Chiefs a chance to pressure Darnold and force mistakes.

— Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
But Orlando believes those types of mistakes are correctable.

— Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistakes

Verb

Morgan blows a meeting with a publisher (Poorna Jagannathan, in her third of four high-profile TV role this year.

— Judy Berman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of blows

Verb

Even as Heath stumbles his way through the lyrics, the audience respectfully claps along to the beat.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Lizard Music follows a boy (Theo Clark Leber) left to his own devices who stumbles upon a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music, and a hidden door to the extraordinary swings open.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumbles

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 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 gorgeous and tasty caramel and cream cheese frosting looks the best when applied with a small offset spatula to give it that swirly effect on the cake.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
Be suspicious of unexpected statement links Even when an email looks authentic, use the SSA website independently to access your information.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of looks

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fumblers

fumbles

fumbling

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Style

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

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Synonyms of fumbles

noun

verb

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