TUMBLING Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

tumbling

verb

Definition of tumbling

present participle of tumble

as in falling

to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily the infant stood for a moment and then tumbled on the carpet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in plunging

to go to a lower level especially abruptly stock prices tumbled after the earnings report was released

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as in disrupting

to undo the proper order or arrangement of tumbled all the clothes in her closet as she furiously searched for her favorite pair of jeans

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as in collapsing

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure all we need is one strong wind, and that old barn is going to tumble

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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 tumbling News of their leaving sent Google’s shares tumbling more than 5% on Monday. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Pauline went from tumbling and twirling in the circus to flipping into pools as a competitive diver during her teens. — Staff Author, InStyle, 23 June 2026 Earlier this week, Sandy took an unexpected fledge after losing her balance and tumbling down the nest tree. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh helped send the stock market tumbling in his first press conference as leader of the central bank. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 June 2026 The gradual reopening of the Strait resulted in crude oil prices tumbling toward $70 per barrel on Wednesday. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 24 June 2026 But this week has been particularly topsy-turvy – sinking 10% Tuesday, rising 5% and 3% Wednesday and Thursday, and then tumbling again Friday. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 With Soto, one of the league’s best sluggers, joining the team in 2025, the Mets went 55-42 in the first half, tumbling out of contention in the second with a 28-37 finish. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 On July 9, 2025, people at Camp Wildcraft reported hearing a loud crack before the massive branch, estimated to weigh several hundred pounds, came tumbling down, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Lt. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumbling

Verb

The report will also provide insight into whether American workers’ paychecks are falling further behind inflation.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 July 2026
But Musk fell short of the yearly 5% minimum the IRS legally requires his foundation to give away, after falling roughly $423 million short in 2023.

— Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of falling

Verb

Handwerker revealed that Gerber joined her mom at the event with a second photo posted on July 5, which showed the Mother Mary actress wearing a bodycon black gown with a plunging sweetheart neckline that dipped to her ribs.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Olandria Carthen attended the 2026 BET Awards in Los Angeles wearing a bright yellow gown with a plunging neckline and daringly high slit.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of plunging

Verb

Researchers have identified hormone-disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals in some consumer products and continue to investigate combinations of chemicals that may warrant closer testing.

— Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
Its tendency to rapidly reproduce, forming dense colonies on underwater surfaces, can clog pipes, pumps and critical water infrastructure while disrupting local ecosystems.

— Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of disrupting

Verb

The camaraderie was evident on the ground here in La Guaira, the coastal city where quake damage was most severe, collapsing dozens of buildings.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Unlike straw or lower-grade wool blends, beaver felt can be reworked without collapsing its structure, which is what allows hats to be reshaped by hand rather than stamped out of a mold.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 July 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also fallen foul of Germany’s World Cup elimination by Paraguay, after stumbling into a social media debacle following a communications blunder.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 1 July 2026
There's been some stumbling plays, thwarted by tripping and dramatic falls.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026

Definition of stumbling

Verb

Temperatures will have a tough time dipping below 80°, especially in Baltimore City.

— Rachael Jay, CBS News, 30 June 2026
The county has faced relatively small budget shortfalls in the last couple of years and is now dipping into its reserves to the tune of $95 million.

— Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2026

Definition of dipping

Verb

Enola dutifully trudges between clues and possibilities, shuffling through crime scenes and racing around shady spaces, all of this much more paint-by-numbers than connect-the-dots.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
Colombia is trying its luck from distance, but Costa has been equal to each shot, first punching away Jefferson Lerma's rocket from the right, about 25 yards out, and then shuffling his feet to his left and catching Jhon Arias's shot from about the same distance.

— NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026

Definition of shuffling

Verb

Moses Moody scored 23 points before crumpling to the floor with an apparently serious left knee injury late in overtime as the Golden State Warriors beat Dallas 137-131 on Monday night, extending the Mavericks' home losing streak to 12 games, their longest in 32 years.

— CBS News, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Late on, with the game already won, James Garner and substitute Merlin Rohl chased Enzo Fernandez, sending him crumpling to the turf.

— Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026