stumble
verb (used without object)
to strike the foot against something, as in walking or running, so as to stagger or fall; trip.
were stumbling
-
past progressiveof stumble.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
"The traditional view held by researchers is that early humans who were making these significant water crossings were stumbling upon these islands by mistake, largely because it was so long ago," Dr Kealy said.
From Science Daily ● May 22, 2024
And while the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick pairing and later the Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid duo were ruling the conference, the Jets were stumbling through 11 non-winning seasons and finishing last in the AFC East seven times.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 24, 2023
But distribution efforts were stumbling amid complex logistics and debates over whom to prioritize for the shots, which were in short supply.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 13, 2023
“The defense kept us in this game while we were stumbling over our own feet in the first half,” quarterback Stetson Bennett IV said.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 10, 2022
By four thirty that morning, they were stumbling through central Berlin, singing “Bow Down to Washington,” their arms draped over one another’s shoulders.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
