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’s Swain in a Texas Longhorns jersey, bumping defenders off-balance with his hip and scooping the ball out of the reach of outstretched hands. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 In this case, safe meant a track big enough for two riders to race without bumping into each other. — Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 Hurd was seen fist-bumping another attacker moments after deputies intervened, Madden Ragland said. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 Scotland fans are in Miami for the national team’s World Cup match against Brazil on Wednesday and many attended Monday’s series opener bumping the attendance to 20,008. — ABC News, 22 June 2026 The team initially brought McCollum off the bench before bumping him intothe starting unit after the All-Star break. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 21 June 2026 Hemani’s case landed at a time when state cannabis laws and federal gun rules are bumping heads more than ever. — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Use light pressure when rubbing the skin, and avoid washing multiple peaches at once to prevent them from bumping into each other. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 June 2026 Gilman pulled rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen to the ground after a catch, later bumping rookie running back Emmett Johnson hard enough that Johnson’s helmet popped off. — Pete Sweeney june 11, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bumping

Verb

Then the team did it, sitting on the field after beating Ivory Coast to reach the round of 16, with captain Martin Odegaard banging the drum.

— Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
And on bikes no-one sane would ever consider banging around a racetrack on.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026

Definition of banging

Verb

Wednesday’s Code Red heat warning in Allegheny County is colliding with one of Pittsburgh’s biggest summer events, and emergency doctors say that mix of 100‑degree temperatures, crowded bridges and salty drinks is a dangerous combination.

— Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Last October, a 62-year-old experienced skydiver from Connecticut died after colliding with another skydiver mid-air.

— Neal Riley, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of colliding

Verb

With men on first and second against Andrew Alvarez (2-3), Rice hit a drive on the fourth straight curveball from Alvarez that center fielder Dylan Crews was unable to catch while slamming into the wall.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 July 2026
Six fighting bulls and their steers repeatedly knocked runners to the cobblestones, with one bull breaking from the herd and slamming into a cluster of unsuspecting participants.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of slamming

Verb

Stacking layers like a gourmet burger is the secret behind smashing efficiency and stability records.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Djokovic became so frustrated that he was given a code violation warning for smashing a racket, before eventually hauling himself over the line.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of smashing

Verb

Of course, some of the rocks were found to have some fiberglass and even carpet remnants on them after crashing through the roof of a house, Jenniskens said.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 15 July 2026
Even after the movie’s distributor Universal released another batch of tickets in June, fans faced crashing websites and hours-long waits online to lock in a screening.

— Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026

Definition of crashing

Verb

Rampaging around towns on the Tasmanian coast, Neil has stolen hearts even as he has been spotted overturning road posts, ramming into cars, sleeping in residential areas and blocking traffic.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 8 July 2026
Other threats against such large events include a potential vehicle-ramming attack or a mass shooting.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Definition of ramming

Browse Nearby Words

bumpers

bumping

bumping into

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Style

“Bumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bumping. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bumping

verb

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