fluffed

verb

past tense of fluff
1
as in fumbled
to make a mistake unnerved by her earlier missteps, the skater fluffed on the final jump as well

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in blew
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I completely fluffed the introduction by calling the boss's wife by the wrong name

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fluffed At Villa Park last year, Elanga fluffed the final action, but not on this occasion at St James’ Park. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 No matter the material, the pillow will still need to be fluffed after sitting in the sun to restore its loft, adds Leslie Reichert, the author of The Joy of Green Cleaning. — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026 Hen of the woods are said to resemble a chicken with its feathers fluffed up, hence the nickname. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026 Messi had the chance to equalize from the penalty spot in the first half but fluffed his lines — again. — David Hickey, NBC news, 8 July 2026 Sofa cushions, pillows, and throws would be fluffed and tidied and nearly all surfaces would receive a quick dusting. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 July 2026 The tiniest requests were dispensed with the utmost care; rooms were primped and fluffed three times a day; special requests for excursions efficiently booked; and dietary preferences noted and recalled with precision. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluffed
  1. fumbled
  2. blew
  3. stumbled
  4. muffed
  5. tripped
  6. blundered
Verb
  • The company, which offers credit cards used to make rent and mortgage payments, had fumbled a critical transition, leading to confusion and financial stress for its customers.
    — Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • On his second drive, Tagovailoa fumbled the snap from center and the Dolphins recovered.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of fumbled
Verb
  • It’s been a decade since the company best known for sucking up hair balls and dust bunnies blew with great force into the beauty business.
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Playing the American League’s best team, the Padres had the final two games of the series in hand before the practically impermeable back end of their bullpen blew late leads.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of blew
Verb
  • But most of the attempts to scale sodium-ion cells stumbled over short lifespans and poor heat tolerance.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In her attempt to get away, the woman stumbled and injured her leg, screaming for help the whole time, police said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of stumbled
Verb
  • Wright also muffed a kick return, the opening one of the preseason, last week at the Washington Commanders.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But Lindor also muffed a leadoff grounder by Lopez in the first, which led to Hicks’ RBI single and an unearned run charged to Thornton.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of muffed
Verb
  • As the trio grew up on Nebraska high school fields, the Huskers tripped and slipped to a 7-17 record during their senior seasons.
    — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • During competition, a number of humanoid robots have tripped, collapsed, burst into flames or slammed into safety barriers and then been stretchered off the track.
    — Anna Coren, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of tripped
Verb
  • Rubio is the president’s top adviser on both national security and diplomacy at a moment when the United States has blundered into an unpopular war that appears to be a strategic catastrophe.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
  • Padres fielders blundered in three of his outings.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of blundered

Browse Nearby Words

fluff
fluffed
fluffiness
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Cite this Entry

“Fluffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluffed. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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