1
as in chunks
a small uneven mass
she dumped a lump of clay on the table and started to sculpt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in swellings
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue
I got a good-sized lump on my head from that fall
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tumors
an abnormal mass of tissue
advised by her doctor to examine her breasts regularly for unusual lumps
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in defeats
failure to win a contest
you can't win all the time, so learn to take your lumps in stride
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in idiots
a stupid person
gazed disgustedly at the lump her daughter had married
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in hulks
a big clumsy often slow-witted person
standing next to those ballet dancers, with their graceful way of moving, I felt like a lump
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in collects
to bring together in one body or place
when we lumped all of our pocket change together, we found that we had just enough a buy a carton of ice cream
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shuffles
to move heavily or clumsily
while I was on crutches, I was lumping about the house like an elephant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lumps
Quing Zhu, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl; discard any lumps.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Noticeable sagging or damage The most obvious sign of a deteriorating mattress is sagging or lumps.
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The stuffing, Certipur-US and Greenguard Gold-certified for safety, is cross-cut to prevent lumps and clumps, keeping the pillow smooth, airy, and puffy, despite being crammed into hiking packs and suitcases.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
Small-cap stocks took their lumps in what was a difficult March for the market, but Oppenheimer thinks some of these names could be set to surge as spring gets underway.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
The day when everything around her began to shake and the lumps that embraced her loosened their grip and the tool tossed her through the air, she was spared from being sliced in two by the metal edge.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Add American cheese, remaining 1 cup cheddar, and reserved soaking water; stir vigorously until most of the cheese is melted (some small lumps of cheese will remain and that is OK) and water is absorbed.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Most lumps such as these are noncancerous lipomas, or fatty tumors, and a decision on whether to remove them is based on whether the lumps interfere with movements or threaten other issues.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Joan Morris, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Breaking it down Artificial intelligence is an umbrella-term for several different technologies, from autonomous vehicles to chatbots—and the database lumps these together without a comprehensive structure.
—Harry Booth, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
These patients had either breast cancer or benign lumps, and their final diagnosis was confirmed with a biopsy.
—Quing Zhu, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl; discard any lumps.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Noticeable sagging or damage The most obvious sign of a deteriorating mattress is sagging or lumps.
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The stuffing, Certipur-US and Greenguard Gold-certified for safety, is cross-cut to prevent lumps and clumps, keeping the pillow smooth, airy, and puffy, despite being crammed into hiking packs and suitcases.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
Small-cap stocks took their lumps in what was a difficult March for the market, but Oppenheimer thinks some of these names could be set to surge as spring gets underway.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
The day when everything around her began to shake and the lumps that embraced her loosened their grip and the tool tossed her through the air, she was spared from being sliced in two by the metal edge.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Add American cheese, remaining 1 cup cheddar, and reserved soaking water; stir vigorously until most of the cheese is melted (some small lumps of cheese will remain and that is OK) and water is absorbed.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Most lumps such as these are noncancerous lipomas, or fatty tumors, and a decision on whether to remove them is based on whether the lumps interfere with movements or threaten other issues.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Most lumps such as these are noncancerous lipomas, or fatty tumors, and a decision on whether to remove them is based on whether the lumps interfere with movements or threaten other issues.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Breaking it down Artificial intelligence is an umbrella-term for several different technologies, from autonomous vehicles to chatbots—and the database lumps these together without a comprehensive structure.
—Harry Booth, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lumps
Noun
-
The molcajete maintains a more rustic bite, leaving behind juicy chunks of tomato and tender bits of onion.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
-
That means residents are seeing larger chunks of their paychecks going to utilities compared to people in other places.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Infection is rapid, causing swellings in the lymph nodes (buboes) and leading to septicaemia and pulmonary infection.—
Matthew Binnicker,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The patient received chemotherapy, and for several months the tumors in her pancreas and her liver shrank.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Breast cancer grows when the tumors form new blood vessels and consume more oxygen.—
Quing Zhu,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Brandon Nimmo hit a leadoff homer, another two-run shot and a double for the Rangers, who have lost six of nine with their back-to-back defeats at Dodger Stadium.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Check out the vibes following defeats.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What sets Brule apart from fellow idiots in similar setups like Borat or Philomena Cunk is Reilly’s ability to present Brule with deep pathos and a sense of mystery, offering glimpses into a dark backstory, all made unsettling by the show’s analog-horror aesthetic.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
-
One gets the sense, reading DuBois, that Stanton’s fervor for political action stemmed from a dread of being governed by idiots.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The second fee collects $260 million to $270 million a year for PG&E to spend on grid projects that need not be related to Diablo Canyon.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to hiring ambassadors, money will also go toward adding staffers in the security operations center, which collects feeds from more than 2,000 cameras, and security guards who are typically law enforcement.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That is not unique — Major League Baseball’s offseason shuffles along at a deliberate pace, just as the Dodgers historically have liked.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As most of the scientific books tell us, coagulating protein at lower temperatures produces more tender clumps; adding a little water or cream makes an omelet tenderer still.—
Jeffrey Steingarten,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The stuffing, Certipur-US and Greenguard Gold-certified for safety, is cross-cut to prevent lumps and clumps, keeping the pillow smooth, airy, and puffy, despite being crammed into hiking packs and suitcases.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lumps. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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