fumbling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fumblingnext
as in uncomfortable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fumbling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fumble
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
  1. uncomfortable
  2. wooden
  3. looking
  4. tripping
  5. reaching
  6. gawky
  7. ungainly
  8. clumsy
Adjective
  • Say something that might make some people uncomfortable but will deeply resonate with your ideal clients.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The program will include eight features and three short films that invite viewers to wrestle with complex — and at times, uncomfortable — questions about the world around them.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of uncomfortable
Adjective
  • Men of various ages and sizes were stretched out on the wooden bunks or settling in.
    — Graydon Carter, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • From the earliest handmade wooden lures to swimbaits made of modern materials, there are countless freshwater lures available, each designed to meet the specific needs of the angler.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of wooden
Verb
  • Here’s what to know A CT city is looking into use of red light, speed cameras.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Cardinale expressed concern that many will be looking to exploit any potential flaws in the prosecution's case.
    — Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of looking
Verb
  • 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
  • For older people with weaker bones, tripping while walking can sometimes cause a fracture.
    — Maggie Aime, MSN, Health, 25 Dec. 2024
Definition of tripping
Verb
  • Theirs is a different reality Part of Williams reaching his potential will involve taking fewer sacks.
    — Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Chicago was getting freezing drizzle and then temperatures potentially reaching into the mid-to-upper 20s.
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of reaching
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
  • 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
Definition of gawky
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
  • You're locked into an ungainly, spread armed, weak kneed Character: snowplow.
    — Outside Online, Outside Online, 19 Feb. 2025
Definition of ungainly
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
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.

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“Fumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fumbling. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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