1
as in lumps
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue
that's a nasty bump on your arm where you hit the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in demotions
the act or an instance of bringing to a lower grade or rank
the bump was punishment for insubordination
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in collisions
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 bangs
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
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Recent Examples of bumps
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Being prepared for bumps in the road Things started going south eight months into the whole cancer saga, after what was supposed to be my final—and easiest—surgery to insert permanent implants.
—Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
The new millennium brought steady gains, save for a few bumps in the road, before the pandemic hit.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Keep in mind, though, the pain and bumps should start to fade within 48 hours following your injection.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
The bottom of each shoe has foam bumps on it, which Nike calls nodes.
—New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
Rookie seasons in the NFL are almost always full of bumps, bruises, mistakes and welcome-to-the-league moments.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Possible bumps in the road Defense will top the agenda.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Las Vegas was expected to have some bumps early in the season with a new coaching staff and new quarterback Geno Smith working together.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
While newborns may only consume around 8-16 ounces of formula per day on average, that amount bumps to an average of 24-40 ounces a day by 6 months of age.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Being prepared for bumps in the road Things started going south eight months into the whole cancer saga, after what was supposed to be my final—and easiest—surgery to insert permanent implants.
—Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
The new millennium brought steady gains, save for a few bumps in the road, before the pandemic hit.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Keep in mind, though, the pain and bumps should start to fade within 48 hours following your injection.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
The bottom of each shoe has foam bumps on it, which Nike calls nodes.
—New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
Rookie seasons in the NFL are almost always full of bumps, bruises, mistakes and welcome-to-the-league moments.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Possible bumps in the road Defense will top the agenda.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Las Vegas was expected to have some bumps early in the season with a new coaching staff and new quarterback Geno Smith working together.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
A day when the Stanley Cup years finally ride the synaptic road back to long-term memory and the brain finally bumps the past for the present.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bumps
Noun
-
He is viewed as a superb talent and a very coachable player, which leads to thinking that he will be better served by staying in Pittsburgh, working with the NHL staff and taking his lumps.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Gradually whisk in warm chicken stock until no lumps remain; stir in andouille sausage, okra, and bay leaf.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Other penalties include fines up to $1000 or demotions.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Some of the agents had been reassigned earlier this year, in what were widely seen as demotions, The Washington Post reported.—
Huo Jingnan,
NPR,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In theory, self-driving cars should be able to detect animals and quickly stop or slow down, thereby lowering the number of collisions.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
According to the Standard, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has reported more than 880 self-driving car collisions to date.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The sheep alien bangs its head on the glass in the nextdoor cell, startling Tootles, who falls over and spills the tray.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Infection is rapid, causing swellings in the lymph nodes (buboes) and leading to septicaemia and pulmonary infection.—
Matthew Binnicker,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Requiring over 20 hours of fabrication time, this lustrous dial is produced via the application of numerous layers of vitreous enamel and multiple firings in a kiln measuring between 800 degrees and 900 degrees Celsius.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Over the past 10 months, EOIR has lost more than 125 judges to firings and voluntary resignations, down from about 700 judges at the start of the year.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Still, Trump’s allies say warnings of stagflation — when high inflation collides with high unemployment — are overblown.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Twenty years later, now working alongside Bua to clear the land of bombs, Na’s mission collides with outsiders – David, an American searching for missing soldiers, and Big-D, a troubled local.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Dog Days volunteers took Sunny to the vet for treatment for some minor cuts and bruises, and then the wait was finally over.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
-
At one point, the seventh-grader was assaulted, leaving bruises.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bumps. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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