stumbled

VERB

slip, stagger

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bumble careen fall fall down falter flounder hesitate limp lumber lurch shuffle swing waver wobble

STRONG

blunder err muddle pitch reel stammer tilt topple totter trip wallow

WEAK

lose balance

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue

STRONG

correct fix straighten

WEAK

lose overlook

VERB

happen upon

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bump tumble

STRONG

chance discover encounter find hit light luck meet

WEAK

blunder upon chance upon come across come up against fall upon light upon run across stub toe on turn up

Antonyms

STRONG

avoid fail lose miss pass by

WEAK

overlook

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

U.S. stocks stumbled on Wednesday, adhering to a long tradition of weak performance in the aftermath of a new Federal Reserve chair’s first meeting at the helm of the central bank.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 17, 2026

He stumbled into his fate by saying demeaning, insulting things that could have been phrased diplomatically.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Apple unveiled an artificial intelligence overhaul for the iPhone on Monday, turning to Google for help two years after the company stumbled on a first attempt.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

But this campaign Liverpool stumbled their way into the Champions League.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Burning branches and tree limbs filled the road, and Akira and Sue tripped and stumbled as they ran.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz