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
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
But gold's swing upward may come with some bumps along the way.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The world’s most powerful business leaders enjoyed eye-watering pay bumps in 2025.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
For now, the best hope for a flight heading into turbulence might be to program the plane itself to ride the bumps.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
And a review of congressional salary records shows that other members of Gonzales’ staff received comparable pay bumps the same year, including three staffers who, like Santos-Aviles, held the title of regional director.
—Bayliss Wagner, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjusting the handlebar and saddle takes less than 10 seconds, and the suspension seatpost did a good job of soaking up small bumps.
—Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 28 Feb. 2026
With the exoplanet Kepler-1625b, there were some asymmetries, however—odd bumps in its associated light curve that were difficult to explain.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026
Near the base, the Forest of Wonders in the family zone is a low-grade trail lightly lined with trees, with small natural bumps or mini moguls that add just a pop of thrill—even little kids can manage them.
—Claire Sibonney, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 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
The large wheels also offer a smoother ride over rough surfaces, so roller blades are a better choice than roller skates for skating on sidewalks and trails with some bumps and cracks.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
But gold's swing upward may come with some bumps along the way.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
The world’s most powerful business leaders enjoyed eye-watering pay bumps in 2025.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
For now, the best hope for a flight heading into turbulence might be to program the plane itself to ride the bumps.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
And a review of congressional salary records shows that other members of Gonzales’ staff received comparable pay bumps the same year, including three staffers who, like Santos-Aviles, held the title of regional director.
—Bayliss Wagner, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjusting the handlebar and saddle takes less than 10 seconds, and the suspension seatpost did a good job of soaking up small bumps.
—Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 28 Feb. 2026
With the exoplanet Kepler-1625b, there were some asymmetries, however—odd bumps in its associated light curve that were difficult to explain.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026
Near the base, the Forest of Wonders in the family zone is a low-grade trail lightly lined with trees, with small natural bumps or mini moguls that add just a pop of thrill—even little kids can manage them.
—Claire Sibonney, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 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
-
Typically, their damage is mostly limited to the bumps and lumps created by their tunneling activity.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The buildings had suffered many injuries inside and out, lumps and bumps everywhere.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 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
-
Animals’ risk of becoming roadkill depends on several factors, including how many vehicles are on the road, how many animals are on the road, and how animals and human drivers behave, explains Tom Langen, a professor of biology at Clarkson University, who studies animal-vehicle collisions.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The latest data collection from the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) Collaboration reveals the universe is practically humming with gravitational waves from cosmic collisions.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Opt for wispy wisteria bangs for something low maintenance or turn up the face-framing flattery with a thicker curtain fringe.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Before boarding the bus, schoolboy Harrison Higgins, who bangs the drum, literally, for Darlo, optimistically predicts a 2-1 away win.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 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
-
But amid mass firings and shifting priorities, that role has waned.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Six months later, the initial fervor that motivated widespread firings seems remote.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hormonal chaos collides with maximum responsibility and minimum infrastructure, and what used to be manageable becomes debilitating.—
Sarah Oreck,
SELF,
2 Mar. 2026
-
This manhunt soon collides with financial journalist Isabel De Leon (Genesis Rodriguez) and billionaire power broker Jacob Monroe (Louis Herthum), who Peter made a deal with in season 2.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bumps. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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