stump
noun
the lower end of a tree or plant left after the main part falls or is cut off; a standing tree trunk from which the upper part and branches have been removed.
has stumped
-
present perfectof stump (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The trading action in Phreesia has stumped many observers, serving as a reminder to the highly volatile world of small-cap technology.
From Barron's ● Dec. 22, 2025
Amniotic fluid embolism is an extremely rare but life-threatening complication that has stumped healthcare providers because there aren’t any preceding risk factors, making it impossible to prevent, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2025
Every week, Rajesh PN Rao, a computer scientist, gets emails from people claiming they've cracked an ancient script that has stumped scholars for generations.
From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2025
The findings, detailed in the journal Science Advances, may answer a question that has stumped scientists for decades about some of the most dramatic known climate shifts in Earth's history.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2024
“She pays attention, and when she has the courage to ask questions, they’re deep, thoughtful questions. More than once, she has stumped me. Sent me scrambling back to my college textbooks.”
From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty
