fumblingly
- adverb
- /ˈfʌmblɪŋli/
:
torpemente
- "Don't think of it that way, darling," Corinne said fumblingly, p175 "-- think of it that, well, they just don't want to get involved."
Examples
-
She fumblingly explained her idea during the meeting, often pausing to find the right words.
-
He sat up, squinting, and fumblingly inserted the key.
Fiction book (1995) -
The parachutist named Will, who was holding the front end of the coffin, lost his grip and let out a yelp of panic as he fumblingly tried to recover it.
Fiction book (2001) -
But in fact, she is real, another woman in another cloche hat, although she's at first far from talkative, as she stands in silence while the man fumblingly introduces her.
Blog text (25) -
Inside, she was blinded by the contrast with the sunlight, but she fumblingly made her way to the stairs, past the worn elegant furniture, the marble bust of Homer, the tea service on the hall table, all the familiar hand-me-downs or gifts from her parents' parishes, set on display over and over in the series of homes that weren't really theirs.
Fiction book (1990) -
He fumblingly tried to tie his shoelaces while balancing on one foot.
-
As he picked up the scattered papers, he fumblingly sorted them into a neat pile.
Synonyms
38
2.7
In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people
14
3.2
In a slow, unsure way because of doubt
12
2.8
In an awkward way that shows little skill or control
3
7.4
In a slow, unsure way with pauses
1
8.1
To speak or move in a shaky, nervous way
1
9.6
In a clumsy way, especially when moving or singing
1
7.0
Move or speak in an awkward, unsteady way as if about to fall
1
7.4
In a slow, unsure way that shows little confidence
1
6.1
In a slow, unsure way that shows doubt
In a stopping and starting way with short repeated pauses
With an unsteady, unsure voice or movement that shows doubt
In a clumsy way that causes problems
In a clumsy, careless way that often causes mistakes
In a clumsy or awkward way
Antonyms
How Awkward
12
2.8
38
2.7
30
5.1
8
3.6
173
2.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
fumblingly = fumbling (transparent) = fumble + ing + ly
The adverb is built regularly from 'fumbling' with '-ly', and 'fumbling' is transparently related to 'fumble'.
Etymology
Fumblingly comes from the verb fumble, which means 'to feel or search clumsily', plus the ending -ly that turns it into an adverb. Think of someone searching for keys with cold, shaking hands—that image explains why fumblingly means 'in a clumsy, awkward, or hesitant way'.