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
Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The shell is built to withstand bumps and dings, while the textured finish helps hide wear and tear from travel.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
All of this comes in a waist-width that can suck up bumps, carve on groomers, and thanks to a unique tip that increases surface area for improved float, surf through a bit of boot-top fluff.
—Kimberly Beekman, Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
The Curt Touring suspension promises to eat up bumps and keep the 15-in all-terrain tire-shod alloy wheels tracking accurately.
—New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
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
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
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
If there’s just one adult in a family who can work, the new plan bumps their payment from $400 to $580 a month.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The shell is built to withstand bumps and dings, while the textured finish helps hide wear and tear from travel.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
All of this comes in a waist-width that can suck up bumps, carve on groomers, and thanks to a unique tip that increases surface area for improved float, surf through a bit of boot-top fluff.
—Kimberly Beekman, Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
The Curt Touring suspension promises to eat up bumps and keep the 15-in all-terrain tire-shod alloy wheels tracking accurately.
—New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
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
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
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
-
These would increase the likelihood of more collisions, much like in the movie ‘Gravity’.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But the potential damage done by the increasing amount of collisions cannot always be repaired in a spacewalk.—
Humberto Basilio,
Scientific American,
7 Nov. 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
-
Employees protested the company's work with Israel, leading to firings and resignations.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
After parents were threatened with firings and evictions, 200 pupils withdrew.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Oscar winner Pacino plays a powerful mob boss whose empire collides with Father Joe’s crusade.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Still, Trump’s allies say warnings of stagflation — when high inflation collides with high unemployment — are overblown.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
McClure would briefly lose custody of her children later that year after they were taken to a hospital with several marks, welts and bruises, the lawsuit alleges.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Additional bruises were found on the musician’s hip, thigh, and abdomen.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bumps. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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