pump

verb

Definition of pumpnext
1
as in to bob
to make short up-and-down movements the thighs of the bicyclists were pumping furiously as they neared the finish line

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to interrogate
to put a series of questions to prying neighbors pumped the guileless child for information about the family's new pool

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to drain
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely pumped water from the well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pump Three large-scale experiments were underway, but only one — a Norwegian operation that captured carbon from a natural gas field and pumped it under the bed of the North Sea — had rigorously tested permanent storage. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026 Gulf Cooperation Council countries have pumped more than $100 billion into Africa over the past decade. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026 An April 9 strike on a pumping station cut throughput by about 700,000 barrels a day before Saudi Arabia restored full capacity days later. — Steven John, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 But funding to pump water from a separate watershed into Rattlesnake Creek was approved in 2025 through spending legislation that Marshall supported. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pump
  1. bob
  2. interrogate
  3. drain
  4. shake
  5. examine
  6. jerk
  7. question
Verb
  • Our little skiff, known around here as an alijo, is bobbing like a toy as our captain gently tugs on a few lines descending into the water.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The Chiefs had no answer for Smith-Njigba, who bobbed and weaved his way through the defense for nine catches, 150 yards and a touchdown.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of bob
Verb
  • In the present, Matthew mounts his own investigation into the crime that tore his life apart, confronting old friends, revisiting broken relationships and interrogating the people who built the case against him.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
  • This self-interrogating method makes for a nervy, difficult style.
    — Langdon Hammer, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of interrogate
Verb
  • Some alluvial and floodplain soils can drain well and appear quite dry, yet still meet Connecticut’s definition of an inland wetland.
    — Dr. Avishesh Neupane, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Fuel that smells sour, appears darker than usual, or shows signs of separation should be drained from the lawn mower and disposed of properly, instead of combined with new fuel.
    — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • Sitake winds up practice with a prayer and insists that the defense and offense shake hands after going at one another all day.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Mothers who beat, shook, shot, drowned, strangled, and stabbed their babies.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • The research, conducted by Pranay Mudaliar and Jerin John, an associate professor of mechanical, industrial and aerospace engineering at Concordia University, examines how the gel responds to shear, temperature, and the addition of ethanol.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Microsoft's system can examine multiple possibilities and reconsider its initial assessment as the evidence changes.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of examine
Verb
  • During the test, Linton jerked and twitched in what prosecutors described as an attempt to fake a seizure.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Drivers should never swerve or jerk the steering wheel, the state patrol said.
    — Celia Frazier, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Prosecutors said the 33-year-old suspect, a German citizen who has ties to the Berchtesgaden area but doesn't currently live there, was questioned.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • A number of protesters were also taken in for questioning and not allowed to join planned marches, according to local media.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of question

Phrases Containing pump

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pummels
pump
pumped
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Cite this Entry

“Pump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pump. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pump

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