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 And for everyone in the F1 paddock, there is now additional clarity on plans for the second half of the season heading into the summer break, while bumping the calendar back up to a provisional 23 races. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 26 July 2026 This can sometimes work against you, though, since bumping the front of the laptop can register as an input. — John Loeffler, PC Magazine, 20 July 2026 Pets and other animals accidentally start hundreds of home fires each year, often by knocking over candles, tipping space heaters or bumping stove knobs. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 15 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bumping

Verb

The songs on Petal are mostly moody midtempo electro-chill, brooding rather than banging.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
What was the inspiration for banging the pots and pans around the house?

— Matt Minton, Variety, 31 July 2026

Definition of banging

Verb

The main way that happens is by colliding electrons and their antimatter partners, positrons.

— Matt von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 29 July 2026
The storms are the result of cold air colliding with temperatures in the mid 90s, and a heat index of 106 degrees, forecasters say.

— Mark Price July 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026

Definition of colliding

Verb

But according to rocket scientists at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), slamming a nuclear warhead directly into the side of a space rock is a rookie mistake.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Charlotte faced off with Lash Legend, and Lash got the better of Charlotte by slamming her on a ladder.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of slamming

Verb

Morton kosher salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring often and smashing fruit with a wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula, until plums are broken up and mixture thickens to a jammy consistency, 10–15 minutes.

— Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026
Beyond Medic's smashing victory in the main event, a few fighters made significant statements.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of smashing

Verb

Roughly a week and a half on from the end of one of the best ever World Cups, news has dropped that bring FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino – fresh off their massive win in North America – crashing back down to Earth.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 29 July 2026
The backstory for his character was an undead electronic music producer who came back from crashing his Ferrari in order to keep making sick beats.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Definition of crashing

Verb

Snap a few photos before your guide for the day, Clint Holland, comes knocking.

— Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Cooper was accused of sending 20 messages and making two unanswered phone calls to his girlfriend before going to her apartment and knocking on her door, according to the arrest affidavit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026

Definition of knocking

Verb

The 27-year-old Adell has 16 homers and 62 RBIs this season, one year after hitting a career-best 37 homers with 98 RBIs.

— David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Across Europe, other historic objects have also been revealed this summer due to the record-breaking heat and crippling droughts hitting the continent’s waterways.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bumping

verb

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