as in banging
to come into usually forceful contact with something
that police officer bumped into me and should have apologized
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Recent Examples of bumping
The job cuts are permanent, and employees will not have bumping rights to other positions.
—
Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Few love it as much when leveling the playing field means bumping them down a few notches.
—John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The workers are not represented by a union and do not have bumping rights.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 9 Sep. 2025
Our moments of uncanny convergence—like bumping into an old flame at the exact right (or wrong) time—function like indulgences did in the days of Martin Luther, tempting us in the promise of paradise.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
After previously bumping the $150 bonus offer up to $200, DraftKings Sportsbook is upping the ante even more this week by offering an instant $300 bonus offer alongside the discount of over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
According to documents made public by the Moscow Police Department in Idaho, Kohberger already has a track record of bumping heads with his fellow inmates.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Other locations were just as bumping.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Bertāns remembers bumping into compatriots at a mall who didn’t know Dubai had a basketball team.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Few love it as much when leveling the playing field means bumping them down a few notches.
—John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The workers are not represented by a union and do not have bumping rights.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 9 Sep. 2025
Our moments of uncanny convergence—like bumping into an old flame at the exact right (or wrong) time—function like indulgences did in the days of Martin Luther, tempting us in the promise of paradise.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
After previously bumping the $150 bonus offer up to $200, DraftKings Sportsbook is upping the ante even more this week by offering an instant $300 bonus offer alongside the discount of over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
According to documents made public by the Moscow Police Department in Idaho, Kohberger already has a track record of bumping heads with his fellow inmates.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Other locations were just as bumping.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Bertāns remembers bumping into compatriots at a mall who didn’t know Dubai had a basketball team.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bumping
Verb
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She’s matched wonderfully by Cooke, who leans into her actual Manchester accent to give Cherry a stroppy, sarcastic bent and whose body looks absolutely banging wrapped in an array of oxblood, maroon, and cerise minidresses.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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From his head-banging guitar solo to his crisp, impressively precise vocals, Thomas delivered male R&B showmanship reminiscent of Maxwell or D’Angelo.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney ended up colliding during Sunday's race at Gateway amid the NASCAR Playoffs.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Demand growth, baseload retirements, extreme weather, and policy paralysis are colliding to create a fragile system.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Video evidence showed a trooper punching the man and slamming him to the ground during a 2021 incident.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In the disturbing footage, Raja was seen entering the ring and picking up Smith above his head before slamming him hard on the mat.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Shoplifting became a political lighting rod, and videos of thieves smashing store windows and grabbing merchandise rocketed across the news and social media as a symbol of a breakdown across cities.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
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While Bills Mafia holds dear traditions like smashing into tables and dousing a superfan in condiments before games, the group also developed a philanthropic bent.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Estonia last month reported a Ukrainian drone crashing and exploding on its territory.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
But the Mets are instead crashing.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Roughly 89 hours after landing in Buffalo, there Prater was knocking the game-winning, walk-off 32-yard field goal through the uprights to beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in what could be the NFL’s game of the year.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Fall is officially knocking at our doors, which means last month’s linen sets and sandals just won’t cut it.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Beijing's forces have responded to Philippine challenges with blockades, ramming maneuvers, and water cannon, raising fears that a miscalculation could draw the United States into a conflict with its military rival.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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The bird flies around a few times, ramming its head into the window, then moves to another room of the house.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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But the Braves came back with three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Matt Olson, a run-scoring triple from the hot-hitting Ozzie Albies and a single from Drake Baldwin.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bumping. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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