1
as in shuffled
to move heavily or clumsily
the elephant lumbered through the jungle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stumbled
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 loaded
to place a weight or burden on
preparations that will lumber the expedition with unnecessary equipment and supplies
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lumbered
Many experts had thought sharks didn’t exist in the frigid waters of Antarctica before this sleeper shark lumbered warily and briefly into the spotlight of a video camera, researcher Alan Jamieson said this week.
—
CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Many experts had thought sharks didn't exist in the frigid waters of Antarctica before this sleeper shark lumbered warily and briefly into the spotlight of a video camera, researcher Alan Jamieson said this week.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Many experts had thought sharks didn’t exist in the frigid waters of Antarctica before this sleeper shark lumbered warily and briefly into the spotlight of a video camera, researcher Alan Jamieson said this week.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Robinson said he was also cut off from food stamps in November as the longest government shutdown in history lumbered on.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
The raccoon took the hint, shimmied down the rope and lumbered onto a ladder before making a less-than-graceful landing on the porch below.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Many experts had thought sharks didn't exist in the frigid waters of Antarctica before this sleeper shark lumbered warily and briefly into the spotlight of a video camera, researcher Alan Jamieson said this week.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Many experts had thought sharks didn’t exist in the frigid waters of Antarctica before this sleeper shark lumbered warily and briefly into the spotlight of a video camera, researcher Alan Jamieson said this week.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Robinson said he was also cut off from food stamps in November as the longest government shutdown in history lumbered on.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
The raccoon took the hint, shimmied down the rope and lumbered onto a ladder before making a less-than-graceful landing on the porch below.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lumbered
Verb
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What supports will schools offer to students who are emotionally impacted by this sudden disruption, especially those who have already been shuffled around multiple times?—
Randy Ribay,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
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Drained from work, Irvi shuffled down the stairs in sweatpants.—
Caitlin Dickerson,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In Season 1, the publication of Lee’s latest exposé – a deep dive into the powerful Washberg family – is immediately followed by the suspicious suicide of Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson), and Lee knows he’s stumbled onto something big.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
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But the Illini stumbled by losing four of six after that before winning their final two against bottom-dwellers Oregon and Maryland.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When a catastrophic avalanche rumbled over a stretch of the High Sierra, dozens of law enforcement officers scoured the mountainside for a group of 15 skiers, including four mountain guides.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Teens dished out nachos and sugary elephant ears to hungry fairgoers in a brand-new kitchen, even as the 65-year-old milkshake machine still rumbled against a far wall.—
Sophie Hartley,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Andrés Giménez was hit by a pitch, Acuña drew a four-pitch walk, and Maikel Garcia dropped down a bunt that was ruled a hit but also exposed a coverage gap as Jonathan Schoop charged and nobody covered first, leaving Venezuela with the bases loaded and no outs.—
Noah Gulley,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
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Sprayer arms may also get trapped or stuck when too many dishes are loaded at once.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Three weeks later, Jalloh allegedly assaulted an older male and stomped his head into the ground.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
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This wasn’t the three-time Cy Young Award version of this man who stomped through their clubhouse doors this week.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Alcantara struggled in his World Baseball Classic debut three years ago for his native Dominican Republic, which didn’t advance out of pool play that year.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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The 30-year-old offensive tackle — who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2019 season — was brought to Charlotte in 2024 as a reserve option at tackle for the Panthers, who were interested in bolstering an offensive line that struggled mightily the year before.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The jaguar growled, whirled and bit off the protruding head of the arrow.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
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Come on, the gunman growled, turning and walking and beckoning with the pistol for Adi to follow.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The surprisingly weak employment picture in February adds to the economic uncertainty over the war with Iran, which has caused oil prices to surge and saddled business and consumers with unforeseen costs.—
Paul Wiseman,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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The second-oldest president in American history is saddled by sub-40% approval ratings and is far underwater even on his handling of the economy and immigration, which were at one time his strong suits.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lumbered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lumbered. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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