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
Relevance
2
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
as in to bang
to come into usually forceful contact with something
that police officer bumped into me and should have apologized
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
It is characterized by high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rashes or bumps that appear seven to 14 days after exposure.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
San Jose, California bumped Miami down a spot from 2025, with a median one-bedroom rental price of $2,600.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bump
Noun
Chris Lipman, the city’s finance director, said that, in total, this pay bump will apply to 43 employees and cost the city an additional $1 million over the duration of the three-year contract.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
It is characterized by high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rashes or bumps that appear seven to 14 days after exposure.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Verb
Some of Hollywood's biggest names bumped into the gang at Central Perk, while others were even invited up to their apartments.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
San Jose, California bumped Miami down a spot from 2025, with a median one-bedroom rental price of $2,600.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bump
Noun
-
More serious outcomes can include pneumonia, encephalitis — or swelling of the brain — and, in rare cases, death, according to the CDC.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
From there, check wounds regularly for unusual swelling or discharge or a foul odor, as that might be a sign of fly larvae in wounds.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Power numbers are short of expectations for Jakob Marsee (three), rookie Owen Caissie (five) and Agustin Ramirez (just two homers before his demotion to Jacksonville).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Though the reason for their struggles was different, Lewis’ poor play was reminiscent of a 2018 slump that resulted in a Miguel Sanó demotion to Single-A Fort Myers.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The Irvine Police Department arrested a 25-year-old man accused of a deadly hit-and-run collision on Wednesday.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
The current number of near-collisions is tough to pin down, as FAA data on drone-aircraft encounters is limited and difficult to verify.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The small, but spirited, Peruvian fan group in the north stands banged its drums and waved flags, finally able to be part of the party.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
-
Cars pushed through the crowd, hitting at least one person as agitators continued banging, kicking and blocking government vehicles.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Companies are increasingly offering lump-sum payments or hiring locally to reduce costs, relocation executives said.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
Shelby Bennoit was diagnosed with breast cancer after discovering a lump in her breast.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Pelley heard those comments, evidently for the first time, during his emotional first interview after the firing.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
-
In this particular moment, this summer, there has been a severe rupture, and that's partly because of the way that these firings were carried out.—
Zulekha Nathoo,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The driver’s side opens, releasing the thump of music and a tall, lean figure.—
Shyla Watson,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
The usual thump of a foot hitting a soccer ball filled the air Wednesday at the Compass Minerals National Performance Center.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Vargas and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy collided in Thursday night’s game and both left that game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
Since then, Fortune Brainstorm Tech has been the place where bold ideas collide.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Fortune,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bump. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
