fumblingly
In clumsy fashion
Fumblingly describes doing something in a clumsy, awkward manner—groping or stumbling through an action without skill or confidence.
Someone might fumblingly search for keys in the dark, or fumblingly attempt an apology.
The word emphasizes the process of struggling rather than failing outright: He fumblingly tried to explain himself.
In a clumsy manner
- clumsilyIn an uncoordinated manner
- bumblingClumsily incompetent
- ungainlyLacking ease of movement
- ham-handedLacking dexterity or subtlety
butterfingers · stumbling · blundering · maladroit · gawky · inelegant · lumbering · oafish
Lacking competence or grace
- amateurishlyIn unskilled manner
- unskillfullyWithout competence or ability
- inexpertlyWithout proficiency or finesse
- unprofessionallyIn an unbecoming work manner
ineffectually · ineffectively · poorly · badly · crudely · sloppily · unpolished · feebly
Without full commitment
- uncertainlyIn a doubtful way
- haltinglyIn an unsteady manner
- falteringlyIn an unsteady manner
- gropinglyIn a feeling-about manner
waveringly · timidly · cautiously · gingerly · hesitatingly · unsurely · searchingly · probingly
In a worried manner
- nervouslyIn an anxious manner
- tremblinglyIn a shaking manner
- shakilyIn trembling manner
- jitterilyIn a nervous, trembling way
flustered · agitated · fretfully · edgily · restlessly · uneasily · self-consciously · embarrassedly
awkwardly
In a clumsy manner
ham-handed · butterfingers · stumbling · blundering · maladroit · gawky · inelegant · lumbering · oafish · uncoordinated
ineptly
Lacking competence or grace
- amateurishlyIn unskilled manner
- unskillfullyWithout competence or ability
- inexpertlyWithout proficiency or finesse
unprofessionally · ineffectually · ineffectively · poorly · badly · crudely · sloppily · unpolished · feebly · inadequately
tentatively
Without full commitment
- uncertainlyIn a doubtful way
- haltinglyIn an unsteady manner
- falteringlyIn an unsteady manner
gropingly · waveringly · timidly · cautiously · gingerly · hesitatingly · unsurely · searchingly · probingly · feelingly
anxiously
In a worried manner
- nervouslyIn an anxious manner
- tremblinglyIn a shaking manner
- shakilyIn trembling manner
jitterily · flustered · agitated · fretfully · edgily · restlessly · uneasily · self-consciously · embarrassedly · sheepishly
fumblinglydeftly
With nimble precision
dexterously · adroitly · skillfully · nimbly · gracefully
fumblinglyexpertly
With high proficiency
adeptly · proficiently · masterfully · competently · capably
fumblinglyconfidently
With self-assurance
assuredly · decisively · unhesitatingly · surely · steadily
- fumbling the bagFailing when victory's near