1
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily
the elephant lumbered through the jungle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in to load
to place a weight or burden on
preparations that will lumber the expedition with unnecessary equipment and supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lumber
Caleb Crain, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Today, the state still produces the most softwood lumber in the United States.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Evan Mills, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
This mind-blowing abundance is part of what drew Brian Kraft, a former professional hockey player, to build the lodge here in 1997, relying on bush planes to fly lumber into the timber-scarce tundra.
—Kim Cross, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lumber
Noun
The lumber of an older generation.
—Caleb Crain, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Today, the state still produces the most softwood lumber in the United States.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Restoration actually improves income stability for workers by reducing vulnerability to lumber price fluctuations and disrupted operations, as endured during a 10-year moratorium triggered by protests and litigation.
—Evan Mills, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
This mind-blowing abundance is part of what drew Brian Kraft, a former professional hockey player, to build the lodge here in 1997, relying on bush planes to fly lumber into the timber-scarce tundra.
—Kim Cross, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lumber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lumber
Noun
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Over an acre of woods burned near the 2700 block of Black Rock Road in Reisterstown on Tuesday, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department.—
Bridget Byrne,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Apr. 2026
-
This cozy drinkery melds British Pub and American Southwest design influences, sporting rich woods, handsome tiling, and booths with a little privacy.—
Chris Malloy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Born from the embers of the eighties band Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, led by the singer and guitarist Amelia Fletcher, shuffled forward with her riffy, effervescent playing style, gradually growing more sophisticated across four LPs and an EP, without any loss of buoyancy.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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This is where the city stages its daily open-air show — street artists sketching portraits, fortune-tellers shuffling cards and musicians playing for appreciative crowds.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The show follows Nicky (Levy) and Morgan Dardano (Taylor Ortega), a pastor-and-teacher sibling duo from New Jersey who stumble into organized crime after Morgan steals a necklace from a postal store to bury with their dying grandmother.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
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When a character speaks English, an accent is employed and the manner is often a bit stumbling.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Or perhaps he is known less by image and more as a disembodied voice, glitching his way across vintage Kanye tracks and rumbling words of self-pity opposite Taylor Swift.—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
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During my most recent visit in 2025, my family and I spent time driving around on the mostly one-lane highway, through the hills and valleys of the six volcanoes that lie rumbling underneath the island.—
Emily Adler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Justin Topa gave up an infield single to Parker Meadows that loaded the bases before Zach McKinstry lined out to left field.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Woo had the Rangers following the same script on Wednesday, allowing only two hits through his first four innings of work, but the team got after the pitcher in the fifth and loaded the bases for Brandon Nimmo, who hit a weak grounder to first baseman Connor Joe.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Many residents from rural areas have lived on the same land for generations, watching a cycle of outside companies profit from extracting the state’s resources — from timber to coal and oil and gas — only to pollute and abandon communities afterward.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Built from timber, stone, and glass, they’re positioned so each one faces its own stretch of forest, with floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open to let in air and sound without inviting bugs.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Robb Report,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That’s the sound of clogs slowly stomping back into the spotlight.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
-
For pretty much every gamer alive today, those first few notes induce an almost Pavlovian response — sparking an urge to grab a controller on your lap that isn’t actually there and bringing to mind comfortable, warm memories of stomping Goombas and riding Yoshi on a quest to save Princess Peach.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite plenty of sunshine on Monday, high temperatures may struggle to reach 60° with a blustery and cool wind much of the day.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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School board candidates endorsed by the group struggled in elections, and rival liberal groups rose up to compete for power in America’s suburbs.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lumber. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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