BUMPING Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

bumping

verb

present participle of bump

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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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 bumping There can be two women who are strong and dynamic, who are, at points, up against each other or bumping heads, but have the same mission and goal. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 These combined create a soundscape that'll keep you bumping and immersed in your audio. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 Simply bumping the protein number on a label doesn’t produce those outcomes on its own. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 This clamshell pack from Mystery Ranch has durable materials, solid stitching, and reinforced seams that help keep out dust from bumping around in a Land Cruiser. — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026 Of course, Preece’s move into the field meant bumping out another driver. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Bonhams is bumping its buyer’s premium up to 30 percent from 28 percent for bids of £25,000 ($33,700) or less. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Still, with the right conditions, getting close to beds without bumping deer becomes much easier. — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026 In June, Luna hopped clumsily from one branch to another, bumping Sandy off her perch and sending her to a branch below. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bumping

Verb

Kulich stood near the side of the net banging his stick on the ice, and Power found him with the perfect pass.

— Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
The autistic girl had stopped hurting herself by banging her head on the floor when she was frustrated.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of banging

Verb

Record spending The lack of a quorum is colliding with the most expensive election on record.

— Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
New research linking mouth bacteria to inflammation, cognition and longevity is colliding with prebiotic formulas and portable formats reshaping a $55 billion industry.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of colliding

Verb

One camp of the ultra-rich cohort is actively exiting the country and slamming the tax policies as bad for business, while a whole other group is publicly demanding that they be taxed more.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Prosecutors say that the driver involved in that crash allegedly ran a red light while driving under the influence, slamming into a Metro bus, killing two passengers.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of slamming

Verb

Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, smashing beef with a wooden spoon, until wine is evaporated, surface of pot is almost dry, and meat is finely ground, 12–15 minutes.

— Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
At the current clip, they are predicted to give up 5,168 yards, smashing the 2011 Packers’ record of 4,988.

— Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of smashing

Verb

But Doral business owners and residents report federal agents are carrying out immigration arrests, sparking fear among neighbors and crashing business activity in the city, home to one the largest Venezuelan communities in the country.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Thiero started the summer moving too quickly through games, crashing into the lane and flying recklessly toward the rim.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of crashing

Verb

For the hearing impaired, select rooms feature visual fire alarms plus signals for telephone ringing and door knocking.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Political handicapping has a way of knocking people down a couple of notches.

— Nathan Gonzales CQ-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of knocking

Verb

Demolishing universities, assaulting the press, violently resegregating the public sphere, ramming degenerative AI down our throats, incarcerating mere zine makers, the regime is systematically repealing the right to culture.

— Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Martinez’s case has been one of the highest-profile examples of federal authorities accusing civilians of ramming into vehicles driven by immigration agents.

— Daniella Silva, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of ramming

Verb

Opponents worry that the changes would mean less money getting invested in rural housing, precisely when housing affordability issues are hitting those areas the hardest.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
The look is solid, smart, elegant, hitting a summer sweet spot that means guests come back again and again.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of hitting

Browse Nearby Words

bumpers

bumping

bumping into

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“Bumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bumping. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bumping

verb

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