stump 1 of 2

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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

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noun

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 the forest, stumps become nurse logs that feed fungi and other key players in the biome. Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025 With a national fundraising blitz in full swing and Election Day just around the corner, Democrats stumping for Proposition 50 have far out-raised and out-spent their opponents — even though a California megadonor with Republican ties single-handedly spent $30 million to defeat it. Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Fittingly, the remaining stump of the Sycamore Gap tree has begun to sprout seedlings, perhaps a quiet echo of the spirit of redemption. Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025 But the harsh fact is that letting a tree stump fester in the ground can cause myriad problems, according to the arborist sources AD asked. Steven John, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stump
Verb
  • In September, Spotify added the ability to free users search for and play specific songs, rather than being forced to head directly to shuffled playlists or albums, though users were limited to one song at a time before the app started to shuffle.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The Royals shuffled their hitting department after the 2025 season concluded.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This marks Pharrell’s latest win in a standout year — from curating the Louis Vuitton menswear line to redefining sneaker culture with one of Adidas’ most visually daring designs.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025
  • With its tales of daring escapes and midnight rendezvous, life-or-death hiding places, secret signs and code words, the Underground Railroad has long captured Americans' imagination.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The sink is prone to splashing and will wash any oil and vinegar residue away in no time.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Whether through rain, irrigation, or merely watering the lawn, residues are conveyed to the soil, which will eventually reach groundwater.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As the latter stomped down the catwalk, Anok gave Gabbriette a makeshift haircut.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
  • And the Broncos proceeded to stomp Dallas into the turf at Empower Field for four quarters Sunday in a 44-24 drubbing, their best end-to-end performance of the year.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The rise of autocratic Russia and China has challenged this global order.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Kimberly-Clark has been attempting to challenge the dominance of consumer goliath Procter & Gamble, whose business spans all drugstore aisles, including cold and digestion medicines.
    NPR, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The argument continued in the distance, not far from a dumpster brimming with refuse that spilled onto the ground around it.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The refuse removal company has a 50-day moving average of $225.36 and a 200-day moving average of $224.92, putting it near a death cross.
    Liz Napolitano,Nick Wells, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Although the discovery has only now been formally studied, cavers from the Czech Speleological Society first stumbled upon the phenomenon in 2022 during an expedition in Vromoner Canyon.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Uber reported strong growth in its third-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, but stumbled on the bottom line after absorbing a $479 million charge for what the company described as undisclosed legal and regulatory matters.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Her agent is very impressed and can practically see the residuals checks for potential new projects coming in.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Along with discussing fair pay and residuals, Anjum Rajabali, senior writer and Screenwriters Association (SWA) of India committee member, told Deadline the relationship between the Global South and major entertainment companies would be a key issue.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stump. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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