stumble across

Find by accident

To stumble across something is to find it by accident, without looking for it: I stumbled across an old photograph in the attic, She stumbled across the solution while researching something else.

The phrase suggests chance discovery rather than deliberate search.

Also stumble on or stumble upon.

uncover

discover

Find something unknown

reveal · expose · come upon · chance upon · light upon · happen upon · locate · spot · notice · observe

discovery

chance

Likelihood of occurrence

coincidence · accidental · happenstance · luck · fluke · unplanned · unforeseen · unanticipated · fortuitous · random

Opposites
intentionality of discovery

stumble acrossseek out

Try to find intentionally

hunt for · look for · track down · research · investigate

outcome of search

stumble acrossmiss

Fail to reach

overlook · lose · pass by · come up empty · look past

search effort

stumble acrossdig up

Uncover from underground

ferret out · root out · comb through · leave no stone unturned · hunt down

Family

across, stumble, stumbling, stumbled, stumbles, stumbler, stumblingly

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G