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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 noises and bumps of the fast-moving bus faded into the background. — Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 For now comes the difficult task of forcing reluctant parties to adhere to a road map with many potential bumps and potholes along the way. — Mkhaimar Abusada, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
In July 2018, some airlines bumped passengers at Denver International Airport to later flights as temperatures reached 98 F (37 C), KDVR-TV in Denver reported. — Rio Yamat, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 That leaves operators with very little room to keep bumping prices. — Wyles Daniel, jsonline.com, 5 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
  • Susac, whose season is likely over, is currently using crutches while wearing a large black brace on his knee while the swelling goes down.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Compression socks prevent swelling and discomfort in the legs by stimulating circulation.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of swelling
Noun
  • For influencers chasing a million impressions, that's a demotion.
    — Tammy Homegardner, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The revelation comes just weeks after another lawmaker and county executive candidate publicly raised allegations of corruption in the Jackson County Legislature — and faced his own demotion in the process.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 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
  • That looked like all Boise would need until Madison’s Aaron Edwards banged home a world-class equalizer in the 83rd minute, firing a shot from the left edge of the box and tucking it inside the right post.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Where grass grows right up to a tree’s trunk, the lawnmower will inevitably follow, banging and chipping the bark or scalping bark off roots that are exposed above the soil.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 9 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
  • Under Bondi and Blanche’s leadership, the department has lost thousands of employees through firings, resignations or voluntary departures.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Part of the process included increasing the duration of the satellite’s thruster burns to get ready for the multi-hour firings needed while grappling the observatory.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 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
  • Another driver tailgated Hampton before Hampton changed across the highway’s lanes and collided with a vehicle, Hampton told an officer.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Rich Beilfuss, president and CEO of the International Crane Foundation, said the law has been especially useful when trying to prevent the building of power lines where whooping cranes may collide with them.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 9 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bump for Spanish Speakers

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