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View synonyms for

stumble

[ stuhm-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

stumbled, stumbling.
  1. to strike the foot against something, as in walking or running, so as to stagger or fall; trip.
  2. to walk or go unsteadily:

    to stumble down a dark passage.

  3. to make a slip, mistake, or blunder, especially a sinful one:

    to stumble over a question; to stumble and fall from grace.

  4. to proceed in a hesitating or blundering manner, as in action or speech (often followed by along ).
  5. to discover or meet with accidentally or unexpectedly (usually followed by on, upon, or across ):

    They stumbled on a little village.

  6. to falter or hesitate, as at an obstacle to progress or belief.


verb (used with object)

stumbled, stumbling.
  1. to cause to stumble; trip.
  2. to give pause to; puzzle or perplex.

noun

  1. the act of stumbling.
  2. a moral lapse or error.
  3. a slip or blunder.

stumble

/ ˈʌə /

verb

  1. to trip or fall while walking or running
  2. to walk in an awkward, unsteady, or unsure way
  3. to make mistakes or hesitate in speech or actions
  4. foll byacross or upon to come (across) by accident
  5. to commit a grave mistake or sin
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a false step, trip, or blunder
  2. the act of stumbling
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٳܳ, noun
  • ˈٳܳԲ, adverb
  • ˈٳܳԲ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ٳܳb noun
  • ٳܳbԲ· adverb
  • ܲ·ٳܳbԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stumble1

1275–1325; Middle English stumblen; cognate with Norwegian stumla to grope and stumble in the dark; akin to stammer
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stumble1

C14: related to Norwegian stumla, Danish dialect stumle; see stammer
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

For a US leader in a hurry to secure a peace deal, Crimea could become a big stumbling block.

From

After Miami, Raducanu wanted Petchey to lead the team on a more regular basis, but committing time around his television broadcasting work has been a stumbling block.

From

But to finish first in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday afternoon, the Bruins needed the Sooners to stumble like they did when they tied their worst score of the season at the national semifinal.

From

That conflicting, burning sentiment of wishing to move forward despite constantly being reminded that your existence is devalued propels Farah Nabulsi’s feature debut “The Teacher,” even as it occasionally stumbles through its more melodramatic aspects.

From

Mark Adams of Long Beach, who was visiting Gravitas to inquire about becoming a member, stumbled upon RummiKlub’s event and decided to hop into the game.

From

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