stump 1 of 2

verb

Definition of stumpnext
1
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily the seemingly endless parade finally ended, and the drummers and tuba players stumped wearily to their buses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dare
to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat when my grandfather was a kid, he and his friends would stump one another to dive into the local swimming hole

Synonyms & Similar Words

stump

2 of 2

noun

as in residue

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stump
Verb
In an interview, Rabb easily answered the question that had stumped Stanford. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 18 May 2026 Ancient artifacts found beneath Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as one mystery still stumps researchers. — FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
The tractor rumbled onward, into the sun, hammering over a divot where a tree had been cut long ago, its stump hauled away. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026 Backstage in the green room, Nicky’s ghost is screaming and scrawling something on a mirror with his bloody stump while Lestat is also screaming into Gabrielle’s voicemail. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stump
  1. shuffle
  2. dare
  3. residue
  4. stomp
  5. challenge
  6. refuse
  7. stumble
  8. residual
Verb
  • As soon as the game wrapped up, those guests shuffled out, and hours later were replaced by a rowdier group ordering shots at the bar, dancing to 2000s hits in front of the DJ booth and smoking vape pens on the outdoor patio.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
  • Pretoria responded to the threat of violence in June 30 protests with millions of dollars shuffled inside the police budget, tactical units deployed, and soldiers on standby.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Substitute Desire Doue provided the magic, tiptoeing past opponents in the penalty area and daring a dangling leg from Diego Gomez.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Over 1,100 competitors daring to make it to the top of the country’s largest seven-day table tennis tournament will compete through July 9 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.
    — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Definition of dare
Noun
  • Food often contains residues from multiple pesticides, as monitoring programs in Europe and the United States have identified.
    — Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
  • Gold Bond recently released its Refreshing Hand Creams, a collection of four lightly scented, ultra-hydrating hand creams that stave off scaly, flaky hands without leaving behind a greasy residue.
    — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Definition of residue
Verb
  • The name Chelydra serpentina evokes colossal reptiles stomping through ancient forests.
    — Hannah Smith July 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
  • If anything, the dichotomy between the pop star who prances around Versailles in a sheer nightie and the pop star who stomps onstage in knee-high combat boots feels completely authentic and intentional.
    — Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Definition of stomp
Verb
  • Isaienko and his friends wanted to challenge the perception that climbing was reserved for elite athletes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • However, with thousands of dividend-paying companies to choose from, identifying the right stocks can be challenging.
    — Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of challenge
Noun
  • It’s often viewed as a dumping ground for human refuse — out of sight, out of mind — and it is structured to prevent prying eyes.
    — Gerard S. Williams, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2026
  • Two Canada geese and six gangly brown-suède goslings walked among the refuse, while in the near distance the truck horns and the protesters’ chants rose up.
    — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Definition of refuse
Verb
  • After a chance meeting saving the life of a reporter, Dez stumbles across a vast conspiracy and now must stop the forces intent on keeping their secrets safe.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 July 2026
  • The hole was discovered in early April when a volunteer on a weekend cemetery clean-up day stumbled upon it.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
Definition of stumble
Noun
  • Customers may experience residuals with Gold and Red line services.
    — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 26 June 2026
  • The residuals started coming for me immediately.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 June 2026
Definition of residual

Browse Nearby Words

stumbling (upon)
stump
stumped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stump. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stump

Nglish: Translation of stump for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stump

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