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
Similarly, the president's tariffs on a variety of specific goods, such as aluminum, lumber and semiconductors, require investigations as well. — Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 24 July 2026 Japan is the second-biggest importer of lumber in the world, bringing in considerable quantities of wood from Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, as well as from Siberia. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Verb
Quietly reading my book without another soul around, a family of four lumbered up with their wagon filled with chairs, toys, an umbrella, and a cooler. — Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 14 July 2026 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 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 airy interiors cement the beach house feel, with white wood paneling creating a crisp canvas for pops of turquoise and natural wood.
    — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The crash victim, identified as a 66-year-old man, was taken out of the woods by the fire department using specialized vehicles and transferred to an ambulance which transported him to Life Star.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of wood
Verb
  • The results indicated continued progress in CVS' broader turnaround plan, which has involved cutting $2 billion in costs, closing underperforming stores, shuffling leadership and reducing costs within Medicare Advantage plans.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Few heads turn despite her tall, unmistakable frame shuffling across the floor.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Pochettino was hired in 2024 to right the ship after the men's team stumbled in a crucial tournament in the run-up to this summer's World Cup.
    — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Facebook stumbled out of the gate and trended lower for months before bottoming at less than half its IPO price.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of stumble
Verb
  • More news The Arizona Cardinals and their starting quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, had been in a rumbling contract dispute in the early days of training camp.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The Great Lakes and Ohio Valley will face the greatest risk as the storms skirt the uppermost edge of a heat dome across the Plains and rumble through eastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, fueled by ample amounts of heat and humidity.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026
Definition of rumble
Verb
  • Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott retired seven straight before singles by Henry Bolte and Tommy White and a walk to Jonah Heim loaded the bases in the fourth.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Red Sox were limited to one run in the bottom of the 11th despite loading the bases with one out.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of load
Noun
  • Environmental crime has become one of the Amazon’s most profitable illicit industries, fueled by global demand for gold, timber and wildlife.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Each measures 500 square feet, with its walls, ceilings, and timber beams made from pine trees felled on site.
    — Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of timber
Verb
  • There's almost a ballad essence to it, even though it's got that stomping kick to it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • That was broken up by Owens, who stomped Gunther and then caught him with a big clothesline.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of stomp
Verb
  • On the other hand, if a teenager is struggling and isn’t involved in any activities, encourage them to explore their interests as a way of making those initial connections.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • New telescopes in the $50 range are usually tiny 50- to 70-millimeter refractors that struggle with faint objects.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 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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