as in tapping
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
absentmindedly drumming his fingers on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of drumming
Chang knows math formulas, but drumming?
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
In Genoa, a school started to offer a course in drumming for people over sixty.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
The ceremony includes chanting, drumming, dancing, and prayers intended to honor the deceased and guide their spirit to the afterlife.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
La Familia kept drumming and chanting through the entire game, determined to help lift Messi and his teammates to victory.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Vocal powerhouse Take 6 returns with its signature blend of gospel, jazz and jaw-dropping harmony, while Cindy Blackman Santana delivers her high-octane drumming on Monday.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 25 Mar. 2026
There will be three stages of performances, a creative zone with more than 30 arts organizations, a storyteller's den, a joy of drumming tent, an instrument petting zoo, and food from area vendors.
—Cary Darling, Houston Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
Schellekens shrieks—set to a hurricane of layered guitars and unhinged drumming.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
Monday night’s game against Italy spotlighted the dancing, drumming and national pride.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
In Genoa, a school started to offer a course in drumming for people over sixty.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
The ceremony includes chanting, drumming, dancing, and prayers intended to honor the deceased and guide their spirit to the afterlife.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
La Familia kept drumming and chanting through the entire game, determined to help lift Messi and his teammates to victory.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Vocal powerhouse Take 6 returns with its signature blend of gospel, jazz and jaw-dropping harmony, while Cindy Blackman Santana delivers her high-octane drumming on Monday.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 25 Mar. 2026
There will be three stages of performances, a creative zone with more than 30 arts organizations, a storyteller's den, a joy of drumming tent, an instrument petting zoo, and food from area vendors.
—Cary Darling, Houston Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
Schellekens shrieks—set to a hurricane of layered guitars and unhinged drumming.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
Monday night’s game against Italy spotlighted the dancing, drumming and national pride.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drumming
Verb
-
After half an hour of mat stretches, Mira and two other students climbed onto Swedish ladders, hung with their backs to the wall, and did a set of leg lifts, tapping their feet against their heads.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Either apply the product to the back of your hand before picking it up with a brush, or simply swipe it directly onto your cheeks, tapping it in with your fingertips.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The audio recording captured the sounds of the ensuing attack, including banging, screaming, crying and choking.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
Magic Mountain removed Revolution’s simple lap bars in 1992 and installed over-the-shoulder restraints — resulting in head-banging headaches for dismayed riders and making the coaster painfully unrideable.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drumming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drumming. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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