stumble
verb (used without object)
to strike the foot against something, as in walking or running, so as to stagger or fall; trip.
had stumbled
-
past perfectof stumble.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
She said current digs were "really construction projects" where workers had stumbled across historical treasures.
From Barron's ● Aug. 29, 2026
At the time, the analysts noted that some U.S. consumers had stumbled upon a “real-life arbitrage,” as in certain cases it was “cheaper to fly to Europe than pay U.S. prices.”
From MarketWatch ● May 6, 2026
Mason had stumbled over her words and talked about iguanas and the price of coffee as she reported on the day's sports events.
From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2026
Fairy-tale-like, just weeks earlier, local kids had stumbled into a discovery of ankylosaur tracks, so Tumbler Ridge rebranded to take advantage of its grand mountain views and spectacular surroundings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 16, 2026
A few months earlier, she had stumbled going up the stairs and almost fell on Paganini and squashed him, and Laney did not want that to happen again.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
