pump up

verb

pumped up; pumping up; pumps up

transitive verb

1

a

: to fill with enthusiasm or excitement

b

: to fill with or as if with air : inflate

2

: increase sense 1

Synonyms of pump up

• thrill
• excite
• turn on
• electrify

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

Classically a martini-like mix of gin, vodka and dry vermouth, Hawks pumps up the botanical notes in the gin by infusing it with toasted fennel and olive oil, imparting a subtle sweetness and a gentle tingle that lingers on the back palate. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025

The Miami Worldcenter, where the first downtown Miami Apple Store opened in January, figures the partnership is a way to re-invigorate a neighborhood — while pumping up business. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2025

Colorado led by a goal in that moment but scored two more after the fan got the crowd pumped up. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2025

But there are concerns of a possible AI bubble, with officials at the Bank of England earlier this month flagging the growing risk that tech stock prices pumped up by the AI boom could burst. —Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pump up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup