1
as in to fall
to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily
the bride stumbled on the altar steps and landed smack in the arms of the minister
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to struggle
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually
stumbled twice while she was reciting the "Gettysburg Address"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily
the tipsy revelers left the path and wearily stumbled through the tangled undergrowth
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4
as in to fumble
to make a mistake
that network announcer rarely stumbles when he's on the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
was his hurtful remark a regrettable stumble, or was it made with artful intention?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stumble
Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 21 July 2025
Joe Biden's live debate performance was marked by stumbling, meandering answers and a quiet, raspy voice that took viewers by surprise and immediately raised questions about Biden's fitness to serve another term.
—Erin Doherty, CNBC, 21 July 2025
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
The latest stumble for Maryland men’s lacrosse was costly.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Verb
My week began with a grocery delivery followed by stumbling on the steps, olive oil all over my front porch, and a bandaged right hand that looks like a small ham.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 21 July 2025
Joe Biden's live debate performance was marked by stumbling, meandering answers and a quiet, raspy voice that took viewers by surprise and immediately raised questions about Biden's fitness to serve another term.
—Erin Doherty, CNBC, 21 July 2025
Noun
But the stumble has become a reflection of the company’s broader turmoil.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
The latest stumble for Maryland men’s lacrosse was costly.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumble
Verb
-
More aggressive treatment options Advertisement In particularly severe cases—especially when someone has an underlying autoimmune disease—OTC eye drops and lifestyle modifications will likely fall short.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
21 July 2025
-
According to data from professional services giant PwC, global M & A volumes fell 9% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, but deal values were up by 15%.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
But AmeriCorps officials have struggled in recent years to provide financial information to auditors and have acknowledged the need for reforms.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
23 July 2025
-
The party of the president usually struggles in a midterm election like next year's race to replace Peters.—
M.L. Elrick,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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All week, campers were shuffled from one activity to the next, mixing games, prayers and church services with lectures that coincide with lessons from the Bible.—
Paul Bersebach,
Oc Register,
12 July 2025
-
Guevara, 47, has been shuffled through three detention sites despite Immigration Judge James Ward’s decision to grant him bond on July 1, according to The Associated Press.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
9 July 2025
Verb
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But then Superman lost flight and Warners fumbled the lucrative Reeve franchise greatly.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
-
Ferguson couldn't find the end zone once, and even fumbled the ball four times, after preventing fumbles entirely during his first two seasons in the league.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
But when mistakes are punished or hidden, innovation stops in its tracks.—
IESE Business School,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Skull emoji: This emoji is often used to mock someone's mistake or appearance.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Despite the latest tumble Wednesday, its share prices have nearly tripled year to date, trading at 247 Hong Kong dollars at 11:43 p.m. ET.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
16 July 2025
-
Instead, it’s been all about the rough and tumble of high-stakes corporate finance.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
7 July 2025
Verb
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The elevated mini dress is a chill, one-and-done staple for the summer, with more than one way to go about it to fit it into your own personal style lexicon: think elegant shift dresses, easy linens, lacy slips, and more sporty numbers.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
20 July 2025
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Imagined herself back in her closet, throwing the silky dress over her head, her arms slipping into the sleeves, the skirt falling over her like water.—
Mona Awad,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
Verb
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Denver posted a 16-4 mark through the spring of ’23, sweeping the Lakers, then stomping the Heat in The Finals to finally reach the NBA’s summit.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
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Footage shared online shows the woman stomping her feet and kicking her legs from the ground.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumble. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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