fumbled 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fumblednext
as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation) my future father-in-law shook his head over my fumbled attempt to compliment his daughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fumbled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of fumble
1
as in blew
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
2
as in looked
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 stumbled
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 fumbled
  1. clumsy
  2. looked
  3. awkward
  4. reached
  5. tripped
  6. botched
  7. felt
  8. ruined
Adjective
  • Kisses her mouth, but the gesture is awkward, clumsy; their teeth strike together, and Brianna winces.
    — Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
  • As well as making a star of Alicia Silverstone, the original movie showcased the talents of Paul Rudd who played her stepbrother Josh (and went onto become Phoebe’s partner in Friends and take on the role of Ant Man) and the late Brittany Murphy, who played Cher’s clumsy friend Tai.
    — Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of clumsy
Verb
  • Better still, Baltimore’s offense looked ready to go for the two-point conversion and steal a win.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Denver looked set to blemish the Chiefs’ undefeated campaign, until Wil Lutz’s 35-yarder was stuffed at the line.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of looked
Adjective
  • Historically an awkward public speaker, Johnson nevertheless saw the invitation as an opportunity to promote his plan for a voting rights bill.
    — Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The latest breakthrough attempts have been met with ridicule as Republicans blast Democrats for awkward social media posts and videos.
    — Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of awkward
Verb
  • Poland has now reached the final twice, losing on both occasions.
    — James Hansen, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
  • She was named artistic director of Ballet Hartford in April 2024, choosing Connecticut’s Capital City to continue her illustrious career, having reached the professional pinnacle.
    — Bernard Kavaler, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2025
Definition of reached
Verb
  • The charge relates to Chelsea’s protests to referee John Brooks after his decision to award Ipswich a 10th-minute penalty, with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen judged to have tripped Liam Delap.
    — Callum Davis, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • The volunteer saw the 4-year-old run past Shin again, and Shin stuck her left foot out and tripped him, the affidavit said.
    — Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Jan. 2025
Definition of tripped
Adjective
  • That was a reference to the botched Tonight Show transition at NBC where O’Brien, then the popular host of NBC’s Late Night, was promised The Tonight Show to stay at NBC.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Accidental reveal One Russian military blogger inadvertently revealed the extent of the Ukrainian advance during a botched effort to downplay the advance on Monday.
    — David Axe, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of botched
Verb
  • Several of Erivo’s looks also include felting, which Tazewell said gave them an organic quality.
    — Hannah Malach, WWD, 16 Feb. 2025
  • The oversized jackets, available in black and ecru, are embellished with multiple boucle patches with high-density embroideries and felted patching artworks.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 7 Feb. 2025
Definition of felt
Verb
  • And then in Joker 2, some people complained that the movie was ruined by the images on the screen and the sounds that accompanied them.
    — Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Believing their beloved team already ruined mock drafting for the next two months, New York Giants fans probably hope for a loss against a Philadelphia Eagles team expected to rest starters Sunday.
    — Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
Definition of ruined
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.

Browse Nearby Words

fumble
fumbled
fumbler
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Cite this Entry

“Fumbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbled. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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