stumbled; stumbling
ˈstəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to fall into sin or waywardness
b
: to make an error : blunder
c
: to come to an obstacle to belief
2
: to trip in walking or running
3
a
: to walk unsteadily or clumsily
b
: to speak or act in a hesitant or faltering manner
4
a
: to come unexpectedly or by chance
stumble onto the truth
b
: to fall or move carelessly
Synonyms
Examples of stumble in a Sentence
Verb
I stumbled on the uneven pavement.
The horse stumbled and almost fell.
He stumbled drunkenly across the room.
He stumbled over to the table.
I heard him stumble over the unfamiliar words.
She stumbled through an apology.
The economy has stumbled in recent months.
Noun
was his hurtful remark a regrettable stumble, or was it made with artful intention?
has bones so brittle that a minor stumble could result in a serious break
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
In the fall of 2022, a Princeton University graduate student named Carolina Figueiredo stumbled onto a massive coincidence.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024
Niall Stanage, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
Therefore, a stock price stumble can quickly undermine the enthusiasm and cause the uptrend to reverse.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stumble 
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Surveyors reportedly stumbled upon the endangered bees during an environmental review of the area, forcing regulators to suspend the project.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
In the fall of 2022, a Princeton University graduate student named Carolina Figueiredo stumbled onto a massive coincidence.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
There were no obvious stumbles, gaffes or other moments when things went awry — although President Biden added his own complication during a separate video call.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
Therefore, a stock price stumble can quickly undermine the enthusiasm and cause the uptrend to reverse.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stumble
Dictionary Entries Near stumble
Cite this Entry
“Stumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stumble. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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