fumbled
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/ˈfʌm.bəld/
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A clumsy attempt or handling, whether physical, sporting, or social, and the adjective form describing something done awkwardly.
Examples
The presenter fumbled the Q&A, leaving the audience confused.
The fumbled attempt to fix the leak only made it worse.
I fumbled the remote and it slipped from my hand.
He fumbled the snap, giving the other team a chance.
The running back fumbled the handoff and the defense recovered.
Similar words
misplace
blunder
grope
flounder
maladroit
clumsy
botch
inept
error
stumble
Meanings
Examples
He fumbled the screwdriver and dropped it.
She fumbled for her passport in the drawer.
The child fumbled the ball and it rolled away.
I fumbled the remote and it slipped from my hand.
They fumbled the lock, turning it the wrong way.
During the blackout, I fumbled for the flashlight.
Similar words
grope
search clumsily
blunder
flounder
bumble
stumble
mishandle
Examples
The running back fumbled the handoff and the defense recovered.
During the final seconds, the receiver fumbled the pass.
He fumbled the snap, giving the other team a chance.
The quarterback fumbled after being sacked.
She fumbled the ball on the field, and the crowd groaned.
A careless fumbled turned the tide of the game.
Similar words
lose
drop
misplace
blunder
botch
mistake
error
Examples
After the awkward joke, he fumbled the conversation and fell silent.
She fumbled her chance to ask him out at the party.
He fumbled the interview by answering too casually.
The presenter fumbled the Q&A, leaving the audience confused.
I fumbled my reply and seemed uninterested.
They fumbled the negotiation and lost the deal.
Similar words
botch
blunder
mess up
screw up
flub
mistake
goof
Examples
The fumbled attempt to fix the leak only made it worse.
His fumbled explanation left the audience puzzled.
The fumbled presentation was full of pauses.
She laughed at the fumbled dance steps.
The fumbled plan collapsed after the first hour.
Their fumbled response to the crisis drew criticism.
Etymology
From Middle English fummelen, probably related to Old Norse fumla ‘to stumble’.
FAQ
What does fumbled mean as a verb?
fumbled means to try to hold or find something in an awkward way, often dropping it.
How is fumbled used in sports?
In sports, fumbled describes a player who drops or mishandles the ball, giving the opponent possession.
Can fumbled describe a social mistake?
Yes, fumbled can refer to a clumsy attempt in dating or networking that results in a lost opportunity.
Is fumbled ever used as an adjective?
When used as an adjective, fumbled describes something that was performed or arranged awkwardly.
What is the past tense of fumble?
The past tense of fumble is fumbled.
What are common synonyms for fumbled?
Common synonyms include grope, blunder, stumble, botch, flub, mistake, and goof.
What is the origin of fumbled?
Fumbled comes from Middle English fummelen, likely linked to Old Norse fumla meaning ‘to stumble’.
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