lump 1 of 3

noun

ˈləmp How to pronounce lump (audio)
Definition of lumpnext
1
as in chunk
a small uneven mass she dumped a lump of clay on the table and started to sculpt

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2
as in swelling
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue I got a good-sized lump on my head from that fall

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3
as in tumor
an abnormal mass of tissue advised by her doctor to examine her breasts regularly for unusual lumps

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4
as in defeat
failure to win a contest you can't win all the time, so learn to take your lumps in stride

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in idiot
a stupid person gazed disgustedly at the lump her daughter had married

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6
as in hulk
a big clumsy often slow-witted person standing next to those ballet dancers, with their graceful way of moving, I felt like a lump

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lump

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to collect
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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2
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily while I was on crutches, I was lumping about the house like an elephant

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lump

3 of 3

adjective

as in total

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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 lump
Noun
Tyman was immediately referred to a local hospital due to concerns about the lump. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 Combine flour, ground almonds, sugar, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large bowl and whisk to blend evenly so there are no lumps of sugar. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
The results will help segment POTS patients into more granular cohorts based on the source of their symptoms, rather than lumping them all together as Simo says the medical industry often does today. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 They were also lumped in with ska and reggae acts like the Slackers, Agent 99, and 32 Tribes. — Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
This means making sure you get paid for all your unused vacation time or PTO, and, if applicable, understanding the options for your company stock and pension (for example, single life, lump sum, or joint with survivor). — Nathan Bachrach and Amy Wagner, Cincinnati.com, 4 Feb. 2020 States under the total lump sum block-grant model would be required to keep health service spending at a level of at least 80% of the target. — Stephanie Armour, WSJ, 30 Jan. 2020 See All Example Sentences for lump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lump
  1. chunk
  2. swelling
  3. tumor
  4. defeat
  5. moron
  6. hulk
  7. collect
  8. shuffle
Noun
  • The deadly flash flood in Nepal on Wednesday was likely caused by a huge chunk of a glacier that broke off and temporarily dammed a river, according to preliminary investigations by scientists.
    — Sibi Arasu, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And the applicant agreed to put the biggest chunk of the design — initially pitched as around 230 apartments on the property’s southern half — on ice.
    — Mark Dee August 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of chunk
Noun
  • CoQ10 may indirectly improve athletic performance by reducing fatigue, pain, swelling, and muscle injury caused by strenuous exercise.
    — Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2026
  • CT scans check the brain for fractures, bleeding, swelling, and blood clots.
    — Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of swelling
Noun
  • Strahan has been outspoken about his kids in the past, sharing in 2025 that his daughter Isabella Strahan had been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor, two years prior.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In late 2023, Isabella was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma—a common malignant brain tumor that arises in the cerebellum, a part of the brain located at the base of the skull.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tumor
Noun
  • But that defeat to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX was the worst pro season for McDuffie until last year.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In 2025 things got more serious for Jair Bolsonaro when he was convicted and sentenced to about 27 years in prison for his role in planning a coup to remain in power after his election defeat.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of defeat
Noun
  • God help us all if some idiot, some moron, ever put you in charge.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026
  • Mantzoukas was willing to look like a maniac and a moron in equal measure.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Definition of moron
Noun
  • Water levels on the Danube River, the second longest in Europe, have dropped so low because of drought that the hulks of dozens of World War II German battleships — and even the remains of an ancient woolly mammoth — are emerging into view.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In the film, Russell wants a hulk of a man but doesn’t care about money, while Monroe transparently is looking for a man who can fuel her desire for diamonds.
    — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026
Definition of hulk
Verb
  • Allen collected three hits and played terrific defense during a 6-3 win against the Mets.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Morgues in Nepal have been overwhelmed, though authorities are collecting DNA samples in the hopes of notifying relatives.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of collect
Verb
  • Since Brian Schottenheimer lasted six years, from 2006 until 2011, the Jets have shuffled through 10 offensive coordinators (including Reich), and none lasted for more than two seasons.
    — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The line shuffles forward quickly, and my heart knots in my chest as Heartfillers are dosed to each person up ahead.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of shuffle

Phrases Containing lump

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lummoxes
lump
lumped
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Cite this Entry

“Lump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lump. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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