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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
But, like all 20-something year relationships, there's bumps in the road. — Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2026 Around $12 million is going toward maintaining past raises, accounting for some salary growth for eligible educators, but this doesn’t materialize into teachers seeing a bump in paychecks. — Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
Earlier this month, Peacock bumped its pricing, ahead of the new NBA and NFL season. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Still, with the right conditions, getting close to beds without bumping deer becomes much easier. — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 27 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
  • One of every 1,000 kids with measles will develop brain swelling.
    — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2026
  • However, in some people, West Nile virus can cause serious disease-causing inflammation and swelling of the brain.
    — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of swelling
Noun
  • McCoy’s lawsuit alleges that her demotion was in violation of Missouri’s whistleblower statute, which allows public employees to sue for unlawful retaliation after reporting violations of law.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The outcome of the investigation, Balon said, resulted in the officer receiving a demotion in rank, an unpaid suspension, an indefinite suspension from the use of Flock and remedial ethics training.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of demotion
Noun
  • Car insurance covers losses resulting from collisions, theft, fire and other covered incidents.
    — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In many organizations, this generational collision is framed as a liability.
    — Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of collision
Verb
  • As the spot ends, the robot is left banging its head against a wall.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The Chicago Cubs center fielder made an Air Jordan-style catch during Friday’s 6-1 win over the Miami Marlins, banging into a nook where two walls converge at funky loanDepot park.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of bang
Noun
  • The initial agreement was that, in the separation, Bass would give Sperr a $50 million lump-sum payment and two properties in New York, and continue to care for Sperr’s mother, according to the suit.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In a small bowl, mix together the tahini, sesame oil, miso, vanilla, and 1/4 cup (60g) warm water until no lumps of miso remain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of lump
Noun
  • That was a stunner, but surely Michigan would come out firing and put the 2025 MAC champions away.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Conclusion Laser weapons offer rapid engagement, deep magazines, and significantly lower firing costs than many conventional defensive missiles.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of firing
Noun
  • If those ground tests show the jet’s acoustic thump is soft enough for suburban skies, NASA plans to fly the X-59 over several US communities to gather public feedback.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Their pitching is good, Griffin Jax could return soon, and Liam Hicks has added some thump to a lineup previously built around three really good hitters (Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda) and a bunch of do-your-job role players.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • In January 2025, an American Airlines regional jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people aboard the two aircraft.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The front of the Accord collided with a concrete traffic barrier on the north shoulder of Daryl Carter Parkway at the entrance ramp for eastbound I-4.
    — Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 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 16 Sep. 2026.

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