Synonyms for

Stumbled

Verb / ˈstʌmbʌld / Another word for stumbled — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to trip or lose your balance while walking or running

Synonyms & similar words

hit stumble bumble slipup tripup trip falter tripped slipped tumbled fumbled floundered mishandled blundered bumbled botched misjudged misstepped lurched wobbled weaved faltered staggered recoiled careened lumbered foundered

Synonyms by register

Formal

tripped blundered faltered

Informal

tripped up messed up goofed

Literary

tottered reeling

Antonyms

walked strode marched sauntered glided danced

Common collocations

  • stumbled upon
  • stumbled over
  • stumbled and fell
  • stumbled through
  • stumbled into
  • stumbled on the stairs
  • stumbled in the dark

Word family

noun stumble
verb stumble

Usage note

Often used figuratively to mean making a mistake or encountering an unexpected difficulty. Can also refer to a physical loss of balance.

Example sentences

  1. I stumbled on the uneven sidewalk.
  2. He stumbled over his words while giving a speech.
  3. She stumbled and fell down the stairs.
  4. The runner stumbled at the finish line.
  5. I stumbled upon a hidden treasure in the forest.

Quotes

  • I have stumbled from time to time over something I said.
  • Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
  • I have stumbled but I got up.

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