as in uncomfortable
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blowing
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 groping
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 stumbling
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fumbling
Adjective
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After an Emanuel Sharp 3 made Duke officially uncomfortable (67-64, 33 seconds left), Tugler was one of three Houston players to tip a regrettable inbounds pass from James, setting off a frenzied sequence.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025 -
These disagreements kept things interesting, if sometimes uncomfortable, in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The caisson is a key element of Chinese wooden architecture.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2025
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The Romans established Londinium just north of the river’s marshy valley after invading Britain in 43 C.E. Colossal wooden quays stood on the ancient settlement’s riverbank.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In it, the singer-songwriter saunters in a polka-dot dress before the screen pans to a glamorous-looking Carey, who delivers a whistle note.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
24 Dec. 2024
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Here’s what to know A CT city is looking into use of red light, speed cameras.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Don't Use An Extension Cord In general, extension cords aren't a great idea because of the tripping hazard and the potential for overheating.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2025
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For older people with weaker bones, tripping while walking can sometimes cause a fracture.—
Maggie Aime, MSN,
Health,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Hollis is reaching across the doorway, grasping for a knife Richard clutches in his hands.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
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Officials warn that the Santa Ana winds are only going to get worse on Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, reaching 100 mph or more.—
Russell Lewis,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
A far cry from the gawky and boyish Norman Bates, B.Z. is a floppy-haired, closeted Hollywood player slowly dissolving in his own nihilism.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
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As Andy Kaufman, Nicholas Braun has just the right gawky awkwardness, and his brief, odd, mostly silent appearances in the first half of the film delightfully pay off near the climax.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Sep. 2024
Adjective
-
Examples imported from 1975 through 1985 had rather ungainly impact bumpers, so early, chrome-bumper cars are aesthetically more desirable.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
21 Feb. 2025
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You're locked into an ungainly, spread armed, weak kneed Character: snowplow.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Raw also advertised Bayley challenging Lyra Valkyria for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio and the world’s most clumsy GM Adam Pearce making his next fumble of the worst storyline going this WrestleMania season between Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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This is why the Trump administration’s DOGE exercise — while clumsy at times — is such an important endeavor despite Democratic efforts to discredit it.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbling. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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