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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stump
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
His winning streak came to an end during game five on July 8, when the final Jeopardy question about the Kennedy Center stumped all three contestants.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
All that’s left of the snook is a bloody stump.
—Bill Kearney, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stump
Verb
The unit earned two turnovers, stumped the Seahawks on their only attempt on fourth down and only allowed 289 total yards.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
His winning streak came to an end during game five on July 8, when the final Jeopardy question about the Kennedy Center stumped all three contestants.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
During the day, the birds lie motionless on the ground, blending into piles of leaves and tree stumps to hide from predators.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
All that’s left of the snook is a bloody stump.
—Bill Kearney, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stump
Verb
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The downstairs staffs of the richest and noblest families start to shuffle around so chaotically that even Lady Whistledown takes notice of in her column.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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The videos showed Chicago kissing and hugging a sable-furred puppy in the family's living room while Psalm shuffled around on his hands and knees trying to chase one of the dark-haired dogs around the room.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even in 20-degree weather, Morris wouldn’t dare keep his son home.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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None of us dares skip the reading, and nobody bails on the meeting.—
Lauren Mechling,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Black colored residue was found inside the ice machine.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 30,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Cleaning often involves contact with bacteria, pet messes, or food residue.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg was tasked with layering in claps, stomps and screams.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
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Making matters worse was that Seahawks defensive lineman Derick Hall stomped down on Dotson’s calf after the play, leading to Shelton shoving him in the chest and, ultimately, a one-game suspension for Hall.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On July 30, the comptroller challenged the Panama Ports Company’s contract to operate the ports before the Supreme Court.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Thompson's attorneys had argued in filings with the Supreme Court that he was not allowed to challenge the prosecution's evidence that concluded Hayslip died from a gunshot wound in her face.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For most of the year, Raymond works with a crew on bulky item pickups, clearing mattresses, cabinets and other large refuse from the streets.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
19 Jan. 2026
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Cebu City generates about just over a million pounds garbage per day, The New York Times reported, adding that its officials have been in talks with nearby cities and provinces to dispose of the refuse.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The same officer shoves Pretti in his chest, leading Pretti and the other protester to stumble backward.—
Hannah Fingerhut,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Dutcher and his staff might have stumbled on something.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Pact and Equity have been negotiating for nearly two years over the new set of contracts, with AI one of five key demands alongside the likes of pay, residuals and special stipulations from the streamers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
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Anastasia Sanger, director, programming and creative development My beauty look in 2016 took the residuals from the height of twee (thick cat-eye eyeliner, blunt bangs) and added a lot of dark lip experimentation.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stump. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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