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to stump

to stump

2 5.9
To walk with heavy noisy steps that show effort or anger
  • verb
  • /stʌmp/
translation icon : pisar fuerte
  • The toddler stumped along, trying to keep up with her older siblings.
  • stumped away
  • stumped back

Examples

  • She walked ungracefully, stumping along with her new carving tucked carefully in her arms.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Harry stumps his feet on the porch several times.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Brandy stumped back to the house.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • You can get lost, too, he said cheerfully as he stumped after Julie.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • His unofficial secretary stumped down the hallway, and he followed.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • She stumped to the door and yelled through the screen,

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I stumped away, skuifel-skuifel, the fag end of my leg thumping hollowly on the veranda.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • As she stumped down the hallway, everyone could hear her heavy footsteps.

  • He stumped through the muddy trail, struggling to keep his balance.

Synonyms

to stomp
vsto stump
144 2.9

To walk heavily and loudly to show anger or determination

is heavy and noisy without necessarily showing anger or intent
to stamp
vsto stump
24 1.4

To walk with heavy, loud steps that make noise

is similar but often signals clumsy effort rather than deliberate force
to trudge
vsto stump
21 5.5

To walk slowly with heavy steps because you are tired

is heavy and noisy but not limited to tired or harsh conditions
to tramp
vsto stump
17 5.5

To walk with heavy steps, often over rough ground

is heavy and noisy but not focused on long travel or distance
to pound
vsto stump
11 3.1

To walk with heavy noisy steps that make a loud sound

is heavy and noisy too but often implies clumsiness not force
to pad
vsto stump
10 6.4

To walk with heavy, steady steps, often when tired

is noisy and clumsy often rather than steady and plodding through mud
to tromp
vsto stump
8 6.3

To walk with heavy noisy steps that make loud sounds

focuses more on heavy noisy effort rather than crushing things
to shamble
vsto stump
4 7.9

To walk awkwardly while dragging your feet

is heavy and noisy rather than mainly slow dragging or unsteady motion
to clomp
vsto stump
4 7.5

To walk with heavy, noisy steps that make a loud sound

walks heavily and noisily but often with awkward effort rather than intent
to plod
vsto stump
4 5.5

To walk slowly with heavy steps because you are tired

is heavy and noisy yet can come from clumsiness rather than tiredness
to clump
vsto stump
2 4.9

To walk with heavy, clumsy, noisy steps

is similar but often stresses effort or awkwardness over just sound
lumbering
vsto stump
1 5.0

Moving slowly and heavily in an awkward way

is heavy and noisy often from effort or clumsiness not size
to galumph
vsto stump
  • Informal
1 9.9

To move in a heavy, noisy, and clumsy way

is similarly clumsy and noisy but usually without playfulness
to slog
vsto stump
1 5.3

To walk slowly with heavy steps, often through mud or when tired

is heavy and noisy but not specifically about rough terrain or mud
to lumber with
vsto stump
7.7

To move slowly and awkwardly while carrying something heavy

is heavy and noisy too but not specifically caused by carrying weight
to footslog
vsto stump
8.7

To walk slowly and with effort over long or difficult ground

is heavy and noisy without implying long distance or journey

Antonyms

89 2.9

To move smoothly and without effort through the air or over a surface

44 3.1

To walk quietly on the toes to avoid making noise

Idioms

1 9.9

Far from towns and cities, often in the Australian outback

Compounds

stump speech
  • Literature
14 6.5

A talk a politician gives many times during a campaign about their main plans

7 1.8

A short part of a tree that remains in the ground after it is cut down

stump spud
  • Specialized
9.9

A small sharp hand shovel with a pointed blade for digging out roots and weeds

Water mixed with rotten wood and dirt that is unsafe to drink

How Heavy-Footed

to stomp
144 2.9
to stump
2 5.9
to trudge
21 5.5
to plod
4 5.5
to walk
1.0

Surface Forms

stump infinitive
stumped past
stumped past participle
stumping present participle
stumps third person singular

Etymology

A helpful way to remember the verb stump meaning 'to walk heavily' is to picture someone moving like a short, heavy tree trunk or kicking at stumps with big boots. This image explains the modern sense of heavy, noisy steps.