1
as in shuffled
to move heavily or clumsily
the seemingly endless parade finally ended, and the drummers and tuba players stumped wearily to their buses
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenged
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stumped
Still, managers might be stumped by a request to put on high school hoops or a sailing competition.
—
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The next question, about picadillo, stumped the Oscar nominee.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
But Waddle’s situation, in January 2021, stumped him.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
On Thursday, Pritzker stumped for her with a series of appearances at senior living centers on Chicago's South Side.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
As the campaign took shape, Crockett stumped in urban areas, trying to awaken and broaden the base; more than a million Texas Democrats who voted in 2020 stayed home in 2024.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … POLITICS 'CIVICS LESSON’ — Republican shocked after anti-ICE sheriff stumped by basic government question.
—FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Still, Orlando at times this season has fallen away from its defensive identity, which in turn has stumped its offensive output.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
The unit earned two turnovers, stumped the Seahawks on their only attempt on fourth down and only allowed 289 total yards.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The next question, about picadillo, stumped the Oscar nominee.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
But Waddle’s situation, in January 2021, stumped him.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
On Thursday, Pritzker stumped for her with a series of appearances at senior living centers on Chicago's South Side.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
As the campaign took shape, Crockett stumped in urban areas, trying to awaken and broaden the base; more than a million Texas Democrats who voted in 2020 stayed home in 2024.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … POLITICS 'CIVICS LESSON’ — Republican shocked after anti-ICE sheriff stumped by basic government question.
—FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Still, Orlando at times this season has fallen away from its defensive identity, which in turn has stumped its offensive output.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
The unit earned two turnovers, stumped the Seahawks on their only attempt on fourth down and only allowed 289 total yards.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumped
Verb
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After the offense was shut out on four hits in Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to the Angels, Counsell shuffled the lineup.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Instead, Meyerson was shuffled to three different ALFs in six months — from Hialeah to Kendall to Homestead.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Huskies rarely had been challenged all season, routing their Big East opponents by record margins.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Looming lawsuit Part of that confusion is because the program itself is currently being challenged in court.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An Easter Sunday celebration at a Long Beach, California park took a disturbing turn when a person searching for hidden eggs stumbled upon a human skull partially buried in dense brush.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In trading Angel Reese yesterday, this franchise stumbled upon a crossroad.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Raptors dared Mitchell to shoot early, with the former Raptors guard scoring the Heat’s first seven points and nine of the team’s first 12.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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Readers thought that was too easy and dared me to try something more difficult.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stomped around here like rabid Goths wearing bearskin vests.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
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Frustration boiled over on the Huskies’ sideline as Hurley stomped his foot and earned a technical foul from referee James Breeding with 12 and a half minutes left in the half.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stumped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumped. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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