fumbling

/ˈfʌmblɪŋ/
adjective
  1. Clumsy or awkward in handling things or speaking.
    • His fumbling fingers couldn't tie the knot properly.
    • The fumbling attempt to fix the sink only made the leak worse.
    • She gave a fumbling apology, not quite knowing what to say.
Antonyms
verb
  1. Present participle of fumble; handling clumsily or speaking awkwardly.
    • She kept fumbling for the right words during the debate.
    • The player was fumbling the ball under pressure from the defense.
    • He was fumbling through his backpack for his phone.
noun
  1. The act of handling something clumsily or making mistakes.
    • Her fumbling with the remote control was frustrating to watch.
    • After much fumbling, he finally got the key into the lock.
    • The team's fumbling in the first half led to two turnovers.