Definitions

tumble

[tuhm-buhl] / ˈtʌm bəl /

VERB

fall or make fall awkwardly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

descend dip drop flop go down nose-dive plummet plunge sag skid slip slump spill stumble topple

STRONG

disarrange disarray disorder disturb down flatten floor jumble keel level pitch roll toss trip unsettle upset

WEAK

bowl down bring down do a pratfall fall headlong go belly up hit the dirt keel over knock down knock over lose footing lose it mess up take a header tip over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend go up increase rise

STRONG

order

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.

Europe is in the throes of a scorching heatwave, with temperature records expected to tumble in the coming days.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

His first Emmy came for directing "Taxi," a groundbreaking comedy starring Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufman and Tony Danza, about the rough and tumble staff of a New York City taxicab company.

From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026

The tumble also drew warnings from Wall Street that more turmoil could lie ahead.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Sam got a little cocky, tried a show-off spin, got his bird legs tangled and took a tumble.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

We fly through the open window and tumble into free fall.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Vocabulary lists containing tumble

Going Down: Synonyms for "Fall"

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The Road to Freedom

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"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 4

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