fumbled; fumbling
ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly
b
: to make awkward attempts to do or find something
fumbled in his pocket for a coin
c
: to search by trial and error
d
: blunder
2
: to feel one's way or move awkwardly
3
a
: to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
b
: to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it
1
: to bring about by clumsy manipulation
2
a
: to feel or handle clumsily
b
: to deal with in a blundering way : bungle
3
: to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
4
a
: misplay
fumble a grounder
b
: to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running
Synonyms
Examples of fumble in a Sentence
Verb
She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.
They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.
He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.
He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.
Noun
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Recent Examples on the Web
Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2024
Corey Ballentine was also credited with fumbling a punt, but that mishap happened when return man Keisean Nixon pulled away at the last minute.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
The past two games, Key has tallied eight tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble for the Tennessee Titans.
—Jesse Reed, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fumble 
Verb
Carolina players also showed some frustration just before Sutton fumbled the ball at the goal line with 2 minutes, 13 seconds remaining.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2024
Corey Ballentine was also credited with fumbling a punt, but that mishap happened when return man Keisean Nixon pulled away at the last minute.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Noun
In the last three games, the Rams returned an interception for a touchdown, returned a fumble for an interception and sacked the quarterback for a safety.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
The past two games, Key has tallied eight tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble for the Tennessee Titans.
—Jesse Reed, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fumble
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fumble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fumble
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fumble. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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