Synonyms of lumber

lumber 1 of 2

noun

as in wood

tree logs as prepared for human use

a huge amount of lumber will be needed to build the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wood
• timber
• beam
• stake
• pile
• stick
• post
• splint
• firewood
• block
• sill
• brace
• billet
• stave
• cordwood
• ridgepole
• bar

lumber

2 of 2

verb

ˈləm-bər 

1

as in to shuffle

to move heavily or clumsily

the elephant lumbered through the jungle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shuffle
• stomp
• stumble
• barge
• haul
• slough
• lump
• stump
• tramp
• clump
• stamp
• weave
• pound
• trudge
• flounder
• drag
• shamble
• lurch
• scuff
• scuffle
• galumph
• stagger
• slog
• tromp
• flog
• plod
• sway
• flop
• reel
• waddle
• totter
• blunder
• careen
• teeter
• dodder
• wobble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• coast
• breeze
• slide
• glide
• whisk
• hang
• float
• drift
• waltz
• hover
• waft
• poise

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

• stumble
• struggle
• limp
• shuffle
• trudge
• flounder
• blunder
• jog
• reel
• sway
• lurch
• flog
• bumble
• fumble
• plod
• stagger
• shamble
• totter
• wallow
• falter
• welter
• muddle
• teeter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• coast
• sail
• fly
• glide
• zoom
• zip
• kilt

3

as in to rumble

to make a low heavy rolling sound

the horse-drawn wagon lumbered along the trail

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rumble
• growl
• roll
• drum
• thunder
• grumble
• boom
• bellow

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

• load
• burden
• freight
• fill
• pack
• saddle
• weight
• encumber
• stack
• laden
• weigh
• pile
• lade
• heap
• mound
• tax
• clog
• hamper
• clutter
• overburden
• overload
• handicap
• afflict
• press
• overtax
• oppress
• strain
• surcharge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unload
• discharge
• relieve
• unlade
• alleviate
• disencumber
• ease
• lighten
• unburden
• disburden

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lumber

Noun

The conversation pauses every few moments to let a J, M, or Z train lumber loudly past us, but also because Green is someone who chooses her words with great care. — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026

Duties on wood products including plywood and softwood lumber mean sourcing those products is more expensive and can drive up the cost of new construction. — Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

Trash is strewn everywhere; people addicted to the cheap stimulant basuco, derived from cocaine-production residue, lumber around in varying states of distress. — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

The man in the suit who lumbered around in the background of their lives. — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026