pump up

verb

Definition of pump upnext
1
as in to thrill
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of the crowd was pumped up by the band's rocking performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number that pop diva is trying to pump up album sales with an extended publicity tour

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 up In the wild west of the crypto world, a rug pull is a con job where developers pump up the value of a token and then suddenly vanish with the investor funds. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 Several stock indexes, including the NASDAQ 100, also relaxed rules for how soon new issues could be included, further pumping up demand. — John Ruwitch, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026 Azerbaijan, already oil-rich, discovered gas under the Caspian Sea in the 1990s and the petrodollars pumped up its coffers. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 But there is a more direct way to pump up your Pals, with damage, health, defense and work speed upgrades that go as high as 60% each. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pump up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pump up
  1. thrill
  2. increase
  3. excite
  4. expand
  5. electrify
  6. accelerate
  7. boost
  8. augment
Verb
  • In speaking with folks who live here, they are thrilled the city is now getting involved but are hesitant to claim any kind of victory just yet.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Villa sources were thrilled for a teenager who had become a hugely popular figure around the club and seemingly now among supporters.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of thrill
Verb
  • The kingdom has faced increasing attacks from the Houthis, who also declared a blockade on the al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea on July 20.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Nor would increased options out wide and a central defender, The Athletic revealing earlier this week that a couple of bids have been rejected for Norway international centre-back Henrik Falchener, 23, from that country’s Viking Stavanger.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Newcomer Bazoumana Toure has also excited with his pace and crossing ability, so may force his way in on the left.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Ask what excites them, share your vision, and choose one clear next step together.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of excite
Verb
  • Investors have increasingly scrutinized the chipmaker’s expanding financial ties with major AI customers.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • New business models such as Walmart supercenters, Costco warehouse clubs and Trader Joe’s specialty stores expanded the abundance further.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • The electrifying rookie hammered the ball 368 feet into the right-field seats for a two-run home run, giving the Cardinals a 6-3 lead.
    — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Countries exposed to the current oil shock will have powerful incentives to electrify more of their transportation and industry and to generate that electricity from secure domestic sources, including wind, solar, bioenergy, and nuclear power.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of electrify
Verb
  • The Pole accelerated on the stage’s fourth ascent of the Col d’Eze, but couldn’t open a gap.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Local residents said some drivers spend hours revving their engines and accelerating modified vehicles along Woodward Avenue.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • One of the topics raised by Cullen is that Championship clubs need to find ways to boost income alongside restraining costs.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • To boost attendance this summer, Disney unleashed a bevy of discounts from coast to coast, for tickets, hotels and dining plans for the season.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of boost
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Ukraine has already augmented its air defenses around Odesa and other ports, with videos showing aircraft, including an F-16 and a Yak-52, shooting down Geran-4s.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • During the 2025 Operation Midnight Hammer strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, an Ohio-class boat was called upon to augment B-2 bomber strikes.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of augment

Browse Nearby Words

pumps up
pump up
puna
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Cite this Entry

“Pump up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pump%20up. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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