fumbling

NOUN

hesitation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

doubt equivocation hesitancy indecision misgiving mistrust pause procrastination qualm reluctance skepticism unwillingness vacillation

STRONG

dawdling delay demurral dubiety faltering fluctuation indecisiveness indisposition irresolution oscillation scruple wavering

WEAK

averseness delaying hemming and hawing stammering stumbling stuttering

Antonyms

STRONGEST

belief certainty confidence faith trust

WEAK

eagerness go perseverance sureness

NOUN

indecisiveness

Synonyms

STRONG

dawdling delay demurral doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hesitancy indecision indisposition irresoluteness irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple skepticism timidity timidness unwillingness vacillation wavering

WEAK

averseness delaying hemming and hawing shilly-shally stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness to and fro

Antonyms

STRONG

belief certainty confidence faith trust

NOUN

irresoluteness

Synonyms

STRONG

dawdling delay demurral doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple skepticism timidity timidness unwillingness vacillation wavering

WEAK

averseness delaying hemming and hawing shilly-shally stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness to and fro

Antonyms

STRONG

belief certainty confidence faith trust

NOUN

irresolution

Synonyms

STRONG

dawdling delay demurral doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresoluteness misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple skepticism timidity timidness unwillingness vacillation wavering

WEAK

averseness delaying hemming and hawing shilly-shally stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness to and fro

Antonyms

STRONG

belief certainty confidence faith trust

NOUN

tentativeness

Synonyms

WEAK

averseness dawdling delay delaying demurral doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hemming and hawing hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresoluteness irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple shilly-shally skepticism stammering stumbling stuttering timidity timidness to and fro unwillingness vacillation wavering

NOUN

timidness

Synonyms

STRONG

dawdling delay demurral doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresoluteness irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple skepticism timidity unwillingness vacillation wavering

WEAK

averseness delaying hemming and hawing shilly-shally stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness to and fro

Antonyms

STRONG

belief certainty confidence faith trust

NOUN

to and fro

Synonyms

WEAK

averseness dawdling delay delaying demurral doubt dubiety equivocation faltering fluctuation hemming and hawing hesitancy indecision indecisiveness indisposition irresoluteness irresolution misgiving mistrust oscillation pause procrastination qualm reluctance scruple shilly-shally skepticism stammering stumbling stuttering tentativeness timidity timidness unwillingness vacillation wavering

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.

Are Scotland and the UK fumbling the shift away from oil and gas jobs?

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Coming off the worst combined season in the history of the two franchises, the Jets and Giants both have the chance to bring in several foundational building blocks—if they can avoid fumbling this opportunity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

As I followed a patrol of federal agents around New York City’s Chinatown during their fumbling attempted raid in mid-October last year, I noticed something curious.

From Slate • Feb. 9, 2026

Richardson's fumbling did little to inspire confidence in the man with zero disaster management experience.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2025

“I think if Maxim wanted anything done he would tell me,” he said, still fumbling with his shoe.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

fumbling

Example Sentences

Related Words