pump up

verb

pumped up; pumping up; pumps up
Synonyms of pump upnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to fill with enthusiasm or excitement
b
: to fill with or as if with air : inflate
2

Examples of pump up in a Sentence

the crowd was pumped up by the band's rocking performance that pop diva is trying to pump up album sales with an extended publicity tour
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The ValerionMaster Max 4K laser projector runs on the NoirScene Dark Engine, which helps pump up the contrast between shadows and light sources to create dynamic visuals. George Yang, PC Magazine, 27 May 2026 Video footage shared on social media showed fans cheering as the couple walked down the court before the start of the game to take their seats, and Kelce took a moment to pump up the Cavs supporters. Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026 Via MoneyPuck Score effects were a factor here; leading teams often go into a defensive shell to protect that edge, while trailing teams can pump up the shots and risk to get back into the game. Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 20 May 2026 The scale has certainly been pumped up, with an obviously bigger budget, spectacular action sequences and a significant portion projected in full IMAX-level proportions. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pump up

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pump up was in 1791

Cite this Entry

“Pump up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pump%20up. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

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