bump 1 of 2

noun

ˈbəmp How to pronounce bump (audio)
Definition of bumpnext
1
as in swelling
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue that's a nasty bump on your arm where you hit the table

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2
as in demotion
the act or an instance of bringing to a lower grade or rank the bump was punishment for insubordination

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3
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things I felt the bump of the other car, but there was no damage to either vehicle

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bump

2 of 2

verb

as in to bang
to come into usually forceful contact with something that police officer bumped into me and should have apologized

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bump
Noun
The suspension is now absorbing bumps instead of shooting them into your spine. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026 The price target bumps came ahead of earnings from each, which will be out in a few weeks. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
The company recently completed the purchase of Curtis Instruments , announced two pending deals and bumped its annual dividend by 11%, marking 70 consecutive years of increases. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 Advanced subscribers can bump that to weekly for an additional $25 per month. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bump
  1. swelling
  2. demotion
  3. collision
  4. bang
  5. lump
  6. firing
  7. thump
  8. collide
Noun
  • Hydrostatic pressure – the force water naturally exerts against the body – may also help reduce mild swelling in the legs and support healthy circulation during exercise.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
  • WeWhale said the fin has a rich blood supply and helps the animal regulate its body temperature, meaning the wounds could lead to tissue damage, swelling or infection.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of swelling
Noun
  • Among them, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand opted against taking what was effectively a demotion, with play-calling duties going to a more veteran coach (eventually, Frank Reich), and left, too.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The decision to exclude the REDI Taskforce lead, Sarah Vaine, from the meeting where the level of discipline was decided upon (demotion and suspension), rested solely with the former City Manager.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of demotion
Noun
  • The collision killed 46-year-old Venancio Papalotzi-George of Meriden.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
  • This raises the risk of accidents or collisions and can void their insurance.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of collision
Verb
  • These were people who would insist that their American passenger ride in the cab of a trade truck rather than stand in the open back with 20 passengers banging into each other and a couple of goats for hours.
    — Ethan Gologor, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In the building across the street, an old woman came out onto her balcony in a nightgown, a toddler in tow, and began banging a pot.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of bang
Noun
  • With this approach, creditors are asked to accept less than the amount owed in return for a lump-sum payment.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, a group of scientists reported that lumps of metal on the Pacific seafloor—which happened to be the target of seabed-mining operations—seemed to be producing dark oxygen.
    — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of lump
Noun
  • The exposé alleged that Gomez was trying to distance herself from the company and outlined the messy firing of chief executive Daniella Pierson.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • More than 10 individual firings, between 900-910°C, were needed to create the clock.
    — Ming Liu, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of firing
Noun
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ramirez was Miami’s primary catcher as a rookie last season and can add some thump to Miami’s lineup, but his work defensively remains underwhelming.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • Investigators determined that Skinner was impaired and failed to maintain his lane before crossing over the line and colliding with the CHP cruiser.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Supporters say soaring demand for electricity for AI data centers and EVs is colliding with California’s push for 100% clean power, leaving a stubborn gap in round-the-clock, low-carbon supply that should be met by nuclear.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of collide

Phrases Containing bump

Browse Nearby Words

bum (out)
bump
bumped
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Cite this Entry

“Bump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bump. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bump for Spanish Speakers

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