lumber 1 of 2

noun

Definition of lumbernext
as in wood
tree logs as prepared for human use a huge amount of lumber will be needed to build the house

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lumber

2 of 2

verb

ˈləm-bər How to pronounce lumber (audio)
1
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily the elephant lumbered through the jungle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stumble
to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually the novel's plot lumbers to its predictable conclusion after 500 long pages

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3
as in to rumble
to make a low heavy rolling sound the horse-drawn wagon lumbered along the trail

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4
as in to load
to place a weight or burden on preparations that will lumber the expedition with unnecessary equipment and supplies

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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 lumber
Noun
Two 2x2x8 pieces of lumber for a recent yard project fit length-wise on a recent home, but extended to the edge of the dashboard. — James Raia, Mercury News, 19 July 2026 Tariffs on building materials such as lumber and steel, along with the inflation surge that began in 2022, have driven up the cost of renovations. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Verb
At the mouth of the Calumet River on Chicago’s industrial Southeast Side, workers load steel, sugar and lumber off and onto ships. — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Kaishu Sano gave the Samurai Blue the lead in the 29th minute with his first international goal, swooping past a lumbering Casemiro before firing low to goalkeeper Alisson’s right from the edge of the box. — David Hickey, NBC news, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lumber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lumber
  1. wood
  2. shuffle
  3. stumble
  4. rumble
  5. load
  6. timber
  7. stomp
  8. struggle
Noun
  • The space feels like a luxurious living room with a fireplace, dark wood paneling and a collection of personal art.
    — Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Covered in warm wood, a 24-foot self-supporting sculptural staircase connects the two floors, guiding clients upward beneath a natural skylight to the second floor.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 23 July 2026
Definition of wood
Verb
  • While the downtown’s worth a visit on its own, most visitors shuffle in for a visit to Singing Beach, a stretch of fine sand just 10 minutes on foot from the train station.
    — Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
  • Pre-shot routines such as Patrick Cantlay’s foot-shuffling and Brian Harman’s waggles have driven golf fans up a wall.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • The first version stumbled spectacularly—employees persuaded it to stock novelty tungsten cubes and sell them at a loss—but later iterations became considerably more competent.
    — Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • But then our son stumbles into the room and burrows between us, his warmth radiating right alongside my light.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of stumble
Verb
  • Storms could rumble back late Wednesday night into Thursday, with a few potentially severe, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • This ground beef casserole will satisfy all the rumbling stomachs at your table.
    — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
Definition of rumble
Verb
  • After striking out with the bases loaded in the first inning, Collins delivered in one of the biggest moments.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • Jarren Duran’s two-run single with the bases loaded was followed by back-to-back bunt singles from Carlos Narváez and Tsung-Che Cheng, plating two more runs.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of load
Noun
  • The Los Angeles man was charged with one count of misdemeanor firing timber or prairie lands, which is punishable by up to 6 months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
  • The sweeping timber, glass and steel building is a showcase for Finnish architecture and design and for the Nordic region’s increasingly expansive idea of what a public library can be.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of timber
Verb
  • Dominik Mysterio Joe Hendry opened up by ramming Dominik into the corner and stomping him.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Twenty wrestlers are committed to slipping on their mawashi loincloths (don’t call it a diaper), stomping to signal their readiness (that’s a shiko) and doing some belly-slapping grappling.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of stomp
Verb
  • In the galley, Joy struggles to accommodate two sheets of Suzanne’s preferences and one sheet of Sugar Baby’s.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
  • Day to day, as the city grows, there’s also the question of traffic, which snarls the city as public transit initiatives have repeatedly struggled.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of struggle

Browse Nearby Words

lulus
lumber
lumbered
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Cite this Entry

“Lumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lumber. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lumber

Nglish: Translation of lumber for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lumber

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