stump 1 of 2

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as in to dare
to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat when my grandfather was a kid, he and his friends would stump one another to dive into the local swimming hole

Synonyms & Similar Words

stump

2 of 2

noun

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 stump
Verb
But the harsh fact is that letting a tree stump fester in the ground can cause myriad problems, according to the arborist sources AD asked. Steven John, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2025 However, according to Reuters, the company’s stock has lost more than half its value in the last three years due to a slow recovery following COVID, meaning there may be more nuanced reasons for the market stump than the logo. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
House Speaker Mike Johnson stumped for Neimeyer in 2024, and the National Republican Congressional Committee has put the district on its list of 26 seats to target in 2026. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025 Even basic financial literacy quizzes stump many Depending on how it's written, an SEC knowledge test on private markets could be challenging for many people, if broader financial literacy tests are any indication. Stephanie Dhue, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stump
Verb
  • The Sharks also shuffled their defense pairs for Monday’s practice, with Dmitry Orlov and Mario Ferraro forming the top line, Nick Leddy with Timothy Liljegren, and Sam Dickinson paired with John Klingberg.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Couples, girlfriends, and wellness aficionados were shuffling from pool to plunge, catching up, sitting close, and enjoying the experience together.
    Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Frankie screamed with a mix of delight and frustration that her owner dared to leave her there alone, which was to be expected.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Ingelsby wanted there to be a scene where Grasso almost dared Tom take him down.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Replace your shower head's filter screen once per year for optimal filtration (which will help decrease buildup residue).
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Failing to clean your drain filter screens will lead to poor drainage and circulation of old food residue during each cycle.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Barner holds his arms parallel to the ground and swings them side to side while slowly stomping forward like Godzilla demolishing a city.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Chastain, meanwhile, is the disruptor who stomped onto the scene in 2022 and surprised everyone — slamming contenders on the track, throwing punches off of it, riding walls into glory that baffled his competitors but simultaneously captured the collective race fan’s imagination.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As if cybersecurity wasn’t challenging enough, fewer CISA employees are being asked to do more and more work protecting American cyberspace during the shutdown.
    Richard Forno, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The clash comes amid lawsuits from states and cities challenging the use of federal law enforcement and military forces in local jurisdictions.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Garbage/refuse containers not covered as required.
    Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The home was hoarded, covered in refuse and infested with insects.
    Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This summer, a Florida man stumbled on a wrecked vessel while fishing with his grandson – possibly a 19th-century ship designed to carry rum.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • One day while in City Bowl, a residential neighborhood in Cape Town, Kienle Gonzalez stumbled across a 1920s Arts and Crafts home at the foot of the mountainside.
    Sophia Herring, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Along with discussing fair pay and residuals, Anjum Rajabali, senior writer and Screenwriters Association (SWA) of India committee member, told Deadline the relationship between the Global South and major entertainment companies would be a key issue.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In negotiations, the union has focused on expanding foreign streaming residuals.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stump. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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