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
Joe Salas
april 07, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2026
The exterior Forged from anodized aluminum, this is Carl Friedrik's most hard-wearing cabin case yet, with new steel rivets adding extra protection against knocks and bumps to complement the robust aluminum frame.
—Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
That’s the slowest pace of wage gains since 2021, and a downshift from the last two years, when pay bumps were closer to 4%.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
The bearded blueliner has skated through the bumps and bruises that come with delivering checks and deflecting slap shots.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
There's been a lot of red tape and bumps along the way.
—Tony Peterson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Early conversations about money, time, or care may feel stretchy, but clarity softens bumps as the day unfolds.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
So my fingers were crossed for a lively ride, even if there might be some bumps.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
Per Sports Illustrated, refs make an average of $205,000, with huge bumps for the crew working the Super Bowl.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Michael Wayland, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
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
Epic Pass typically bumps its prices two to three times before sales end in early December.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
What does bother me (besides the grips) is the chain noise over bumps.
—Joe Salas
april 07, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2026
The exterior Forged from anodized aluminum, this is Carl Friedrik's most hard-wearing cabin case yet, with new steel rivets adding extra protection against knocks and bumps to complement the robust aluminum frame.
—Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
That’s the slowest pace of wage gains since 2021, and a downshift from the last two years, when pay bumps were closer to 4%.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
The bearded blueliner has skated through the bumps and bruises that come with delivering checks and deflecting slap shots.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
There's been a lot of red tape and bumps along the way.
—Tony Peterson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Early conversations about money, time, or care may feel stretchy, but clarity softens bumps as the day unfolds.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
So my fingers were crossed for a lively ride, even if there might be some bumps.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
Per Sports Illustrated, refs make an average of $205,000, with huge bumps for the crew working the Super Bowl.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
The 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX will start at $99,995, excluding a mandatory $2,595 destination fee that bumps the price to $102,590.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
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
Epic Pass typically bumps its prices two to three times before sales end in early December.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bumps
Noun
-
These patients had either breast cancer or benign lumps, and their final diagnosis was confirmed with a biopsy.—
Quing Zhu,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl; discard any lumps.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Newark, 49 sergeants and 23 lieutenants who manage and supervise departments could face demotions if the results of their 2019 civil service exams are thrown out, according to the president of the city's Superior Officers' Association.—
Christine Sloan,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
-
An attorney for two other administrators who sued over their demotions said Monday that their lawsuit is still pending.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin appeared to get banged up from a series of collisions and was in obvious pain on the bench in the second.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Sadly, it’s estimated that more than 100 million to one billion birds die every year in collisions with manmade structures.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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
-
Pentagon officials have not given a reason for the departure, which is the latest of more than a dozen firings of top generals and admirals.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Other Cabinet firings could also be on the horizon.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Angle crashes occur when a car runs a red light and collides with another vehicle at an angle and present a higher risk of injury compared to rear-end collisions.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
If a client presentation collides with family plans, clarify expectations early and ask for support where needed, then show leadership by offering a fair, workable path.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bumps. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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