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
To this day, as much fun as Johnson has with his offensive artistry, little gets his blood pumping like bringing a mauling running game to life.
—
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Countries like China let their industries pollute freely, dumping chemicals into rivers, pumping toxins into the air and throwing plastics into the ocean.
—Chip Lamarca, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Familiar faces like Beyoncé, A’ja Wilson, and Naomi Campbell graced Sin City with their presence for the adrenaline-pumping weekend in November, whether from the coveted Bellagio Fountain Club or the ultra-exclusive trackside Paddock Club.
—Essence, 2 Jan. 2026
With explosions, chases, narrow escapes and love, this film has everything to get your blood pumping as the clock strikes midnight.
—Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Movements that are complex, engage muscles across the body, and get your heart pumping are good candidates for a morning workout.
—Jenessa Connor, Health, 29 Dec. 2025
The premiere of the show's final go around revealed Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) held the boy captive while pumping him full of dark particles, and now the show reveals to what end.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Its ergonomic handle prevents hand fatigue while pumping and connects via 34 inches of adjustable tubing, giving users genuine freedom of movement and total control over their device’s hospital-strength suction.
—Rachel Feltman, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2025
Your Heart Gets Healthier Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improving its efficiency in pumping blood throughout the body.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2025
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Countries like China let their industries pollute freely, dumping chemicals into rivers, pumping toxins into the air and throwing plastics into the ocean.
—Chip Lamarca, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Familiar faces like Beyoncé, A’ja Wilson, and Naomi Campbell graced Sin City with their presence for the adrenaline-pumping weekend in November, whether from the coveted Bellagio Fountain Club or the ultra-exclusive trackside Paddock Club.
—Essence, 2 Jan. 2026
With explosions, chases, narrow escapes and love, this film has everything to get your blood pumping as the clock strikes midnight.
—Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Movements that are complex, engage muscles across the body, and get your heart pumping are good candidates for a morning workout.
—Jenessa Connor, Health, 29 Dec. 2025
The premiere of the show's final go around revealed Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) held the boy captive while pumping him full of dark particles, and now the show reveals to what end.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Its ergonomic handle prevents hand fatigue while pumping and connects via 34 inches of adjustable tubing, giving users genuine freedom of movement and total control over their device’s hospital-strength suction.
—Rachel Feltman, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2025
Your Heart Gets Healthier Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improving its efficiency in pumping blood throughout the body.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
Verb
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The faceless head of a man bobbing in the water recalls the countless Africans who perished during the perilous journey due to disease, malnourishment, and abuse, whose bodies were thrown overboard by unscrupulous ship captains and slavers to schools of sharks.—
James Meyer,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
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The view inside the Phoenix Convention Center, seen from a mezzanine, was a sea of bobbing caps.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Police were interrogating Smith at the same time.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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There’s clearly some darkness beneath the surface, but Dispatch doesn’t seem interested in interrogating its premise in the same gratuitous ways shows like Invincible and The Boys are.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Indoor poinsettias should be repotted out of poorly draining pots as soon as possible, while outdoor plants should only be transplanted outside when temperatures are above 50°F.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
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Add a base layer of well-draining potting mix to the bottom of the new pot, about a few inches deep.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Structure information summary Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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While Bryant was able to come from behind, the Lady Hornets had a hard time shaking off the Lady Warriors.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Whether revisiting legendary careers or examining the fleeting intensity of modern pop, these films offer music lovers a chance to experience the stories behind the sound.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
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This past summer, Brossoit and doctors, after examining his right hip, found the root cause of the knee pain — a cam lesion on the head of his femur that was causing issues with cartilage inside the joint.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One day, the script said that Marietta gets in bed, curls up with her baby dog, and is sucking her thumb.—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
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Research has consistently condemned PE firms for buying up hospitals and sucking staff and patients dry.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To that point, Olympia shouldn’t be allowed to play the jury the tear-jerking recording of Frank’s final phone call home as the water rose.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Surprise Lining The most tear-jerking moment, however, was kept secret until the very last minute.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He was extradited to Pennsylvania for questioning and when he was compelled to testify before a grand jury, Schrader invoked his Fifth Amendment right when asked about Carol Ann Dougherty's murder.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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As America gathers to watch his trial, Jax must contend with an ambitious new colleague, Bill Sterling (Sikora), and co-workers questioning her worth.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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