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.

This is not a tale where the heroine’s acceptable aesthetics are revealed by her removing her glasses or allowing her tousled waves to tumble out of a tightly pinned hairdo.

From Salon • May 20, 2026

A wheelchair tumble on an L.A. sidewalk has focused attention on badly needed repairs and disabled people’s challenges.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

Jones warns that current high stock valuations make long-term gains “really hard” and a 35% market tumble could zero out capital gains tax revenue.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

She fractured her leg in the tumble, according to The Courier Mail.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

By the time we’ve steeped six tea bags in our custard, David, Justin, and Robin Hood tumble into the house in a blur of grease stains, sweat, and fur.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

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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