1
as in bobbing
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 interrogating
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 draining
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely
pumped water from the well
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pumping
Each aquifer responds uniquely to pumping and prolonged dry periods.
—
Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Epic Pass or regular lift ticket in hand, head up to Vail Ski Resort to get your fill of your favorite high-altitude, heart-pumping activity.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
Putnam County Commissioner Joshua Alexander, who opposes the bill, told one Senate committee a constituent called to complain that his well has been pumping mud since the drawdown began.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Good news got your heart pumping?
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Across the calm waters behind a pumping station near Lake Borgne, hundreds of saplings stand out in the mist, wrapped in white plastic cylinders.
—Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
A couple of people pulled out knives and slipped over to puncture leather hoses pumping water to put out the fire.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
The 95-year-old investor, worth an eye-watering $149 billion, joins a legion of ultra-rich businessmen pumping millions into traditional media.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
The network has navigated the jump to digital better than its competitors, pumping resources into a streaming service and digital arm that has grown impressively as other networks stumbled.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Epic Pass or regular lift ticket in hand, head up to Vail Ski Resort to get your fill of your favorite high-altitude, heart-pumping activity.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
Putnam County Commissioner Joshua Alexander, who opposes the bill, told one Senate committee a constituent called to complain that his well has been pumping mud since the drawdown began.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Good news got your heart pumping?
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Across the calm waters behind a pumping station near Lake Borgne, hundreds of saplings stand out in the mist, wrapped in white plastic cylinders.
—Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
A couple of people pulled out knives and slipped over to puncture leather hoses pumping water to put out the fire.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
The 95-year-old investor, worth an eye-watering $149 billion, joins a legion of ultra-rich businessmen pumping millions into traditional media.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
The network has navigated the jump to digital better than its competitors, pumping resources into a streaming service and digital arm that has grown impressively as other networks stumbled.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
Verb
-
Picture a waterfront bustling with bobbing fishing boats and the air tinged with the scent of fresh seafood, as San Hing Praya Street and Pak She Praya Road dish out alfresco dining scenes straight out of a sunset lover's dream.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
And many of them were side-stepping and bobbing along to a set by DJ Mace, who was also busting moves nonstop, even when the cameras weren't on him.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even if your wardrobe leans more trendy, try interrogating yourself about certain pieces in your closet.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
-
There were forces stopping and interrogating people celebrating in their cars, but there was no gunfire, said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In full sun or partial shade and well-draining soil, creeping thyme puts on a show, with small flowers covering the ground like a colorful carpet.—
Jamie McIntosh,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Provide well-draining soils as root rot can develop in wet soil.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like all melodramatists, Hong deals in coincidence and magnifies casual connections and minor accidents into life-shaking events.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Other causes included multiple injuries, gunshot wounds, suffocation, burns and shaking.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
New research from Southern Methodist University adds another piece to that debate, examining how digital media use may be linked to the kinds of words toddlers learn — and the family factors that shape how much screen time kids get.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Over the years, there have been various studies examining the trend, many reaching different conclusions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Thrips have rasping, sucking mouthparts.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
-
On a recent day on the river's gravel bank in sight of Denver's skyscrapers, Singel found speck after speck of gold, sucking it out of his pan with an eyedropper.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Video of the collision shows the train jerking from side-to-side.—
Sara Gregory,
AJC.com,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Merchants are aware that prices of metals could backtrack or keep jerking upward.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The closed-door depositions showed how Republican lawmakers at times seemed not able to resist the spectacle of questioning a couple who for decades led the Democratic Party.—
Stephen Groves,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Neighbors in Baltimore County are questioning the use of deadly force after a man, allegedly experiencing a mental health crisis, was found dead following police gunfire at his home Wednesday.—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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