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
New tariffs on lumber are expected to slow the rate of new home construction and make buying a home more expensive. — Jack Springgate, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 That’s because Maine’s goods — including lumber, blueberries, lobster, and potatoes — are often processed on the other side of the border. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
The big upgrade here is that ER 2 can process live video feeds from the robot’s cameras, allowing the system to track progress as the robot lumbers from one step to the next. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026 Next door, the slab and lumber for a second house to be completed in the fall was already on site. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 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
  • But 100 yards from his truck, Delzer saw the tracks abruptly turn into the woods at a location where both Wolff’s truck and the squad truck were visible.
    — David Zeug, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The 101 rooms and 57 suites feel contemporary and quietly luxurious with high ceilings, plush carpeting, and white wood paneling—not to mention Marshall Bluetooth speakers and Dyson hairdryers.
    — Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of wood
Verb
  • The filmmaker has likened his perspective in this project to that of Dorothy’s dog Toto in The Wizard of Oz, alert to the shuffling feet beneath the curtain rather than being bamboozled by the shyster title character’s techno showmanship.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Not much else changed in Class 5A, besides Azle and Arlington Seguin shuffling down two spots with Week 2 losses.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • But since then, Nosková has solidified while Sabalenka has stumbled, and the Czech has also gotten through some tough matches to reach this one.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Byron Nelson stumbles again Normally an area power, Trophy Club Byron Nelson is off to a rocky start.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of stumble
Verb
  • Jets from nearby LaGuardia Airport roared overhead and trains rumbled alongside the grounds.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Trains rumble behind the main stadiums, Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong, while planes approaching and departing from La Guardia Airport bring their stomach-churning roars.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of rumble
Verb
  • Better hygiene isn’t the only reason Bogoyavlenskiy and his team load silverware this way.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
  • After perfecting the design on their computer, Tiu loaded a drum of yellow ink into the printer.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of load
Noun
  • The couple also owns Sonnenhof, a 14th-century timber house now available as an exclusive-use six-bedroom chalet.
    — Jen Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In addition, strategic timber harvesting opens up canopies to support diverse wildlife and plant species.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of timber
Verb
  • Joined by his crew, Shakur stomps him out before the stunned gamblers and boxing fans.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The need for data Inside the headquarters of UBTech Robotics, one of China’s biggest humanoid robot firms, a silver-and-black mannequin picks up a box, stomps across the floor, and mechanically places the box on a shelf.
    — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of stomp
Verb
  • Underwood, then a true freshman, struggled in that meeting, and his inconsistent play against Western Michigan (12-of-22 passing) has led to questions about his job status.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Despite being one of Africa’s largest oil producers, the Dangote Refinery initially struggled to secure enough domestic crude and had to turn to international suppliers at a premium.
    — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lumber

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lumber

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