TUMBLING Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

tumbling

verb

Definition of tumbling

present participle of tumble

as in falling

to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily the infant stood for a moment and then tumbled on the carpet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in plunging

to go to a lower level especially abruptly stock prices tumbled after the earnings report was released

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as in disrupting

to undo the proper order or arrangement of tumbled all the clothes in her closet as she furiously searched for her favorite pair of jeans

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as in collapsing

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure all we need is one strong wind, and that old barn is going to tumble

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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 tumbling Furthermore, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index retreated significantly from the record high set in the previous session, tumbling nearly 8% overnight to mark its largest single-day loss since June 5. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Their cheap convenience and ubiquity in restaurant service is a big reason any person with a food or food-adjacent job (including just about everybody who works at this magazine) has a collection of these tumbling around in their cabinets. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 The spacecraft started tumbling uncontrolled after launch, forcing NASA to abandon the mission. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026 The camera panned to team members, in their signature red and white, tumbling through the audience and onto the stage. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 In June, three people died after losing control of their vehicle and tumbling 400 feet off an embankment in the Santa Cruz Mountains. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 People come to hike among sandstone caves and chase waterfalls tumbling peacefully into blue-green pools. — Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 9 Aug. 2026 Wall Street investors sent Adobe shares tumbling from a 2021 high of $661 per share to as little as $202 in mid-June, when CFO Dan Durn announced his departure for a similar position at chipmaker Marvell. — David Bloom, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Last month, a FedEx driver in Georgia made headlines after tumbling backward into a front yard swimming pool while stepping away to take a proof-of-delivery photo. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tumbling

Verb

In its place is a head of dark, longer hair parted down the middle, with loose curtain bangs falling across his forehead and framing his face.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Oil prices have extended recent losses in response to the statement, with international benchmark Brent crude falling below the $90 per barrel mark overnight.

— Mike Sheen,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of falling

Verb

Sydney Sweeney exposed her plunging bralette in a tiny cropped T-shirt.

— Meg Walters, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
The sleeveless dress, designed by Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon as part of the fashion house's pre-fall 2026 collection, featured a plunging halter neckline, fitted ruched bodice and full midi-length skirt.

— Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of plunging

Verb

Almost constant air raids in Kyiv have now reached their third day, choking the economy in the Ukrainian capital and severely disrupting civilian life more than 4½ years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
In 2023, workers accused the company of disrupting union activities, including implying workers could be dismissed for participating in a union protest and locking emergency exits on the day workers planned to picket outside.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of disrupting

Verb

Summary Volkswagen's unique governance, long prioritizing workers and unions over shareholders, is now unsustainable amid collapsing profits, especially from China, and fierce competition from Chinese EVs.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
After winning historic Latino support in 2024, Trump now faces collapsing approval as mass deportations, economic stagnation and inflammatory messaging like the bus graphic threaten GOP fortunes in the 2026 midterms.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

The teddy bears, the stumbling answers, the whole morning in the Cotillion was a mess.

— Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
Calhoun, who moved to Kansas City from Ames, Iowa, in 2016, started photography during the pandemic after stumbling across a photography video on YouTube.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumbling

Verb

After dipping its toes into beauty, Old Navy has refined its strategy and is gearing up for a nationwide rollout.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Treasury yields have also weighed on stocks, with the 30-year bond yield climbing to a 19-year high last week before dipping back down.

— Michelle Fox, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dipping

Verb

Summary The Chicago Cubs are currently shuffling their infield due to Dansby Swanson's oblique injury, moving Nico Hoerner to shortstop and Pedro Ramírez to second base.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Keeping your eye on Bredeson is as hard as tracking a ball beneath shuffling cups.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffling

Verb

Euphoric players cavorting in disbelief, long-suffering fans crumpling to their knees in tears, commentators’ voices cracking at the drama of it all.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Moses Moody scored 23 points before crumpling to the floor with an apparently serious left knee injury late in overtime as the Golden State Warriors beat Dallas 137-131 on Monday night, extending the Mavericks' home losing streak to 12 games, their longest in 32 years.

— CBS News, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026