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
The pumping plant draws its power from California’s main electric grid, and that will continue.
—
Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
State officials said when the equipment is working at full capacity, the hydroelectric turbines can move nearly one-third more water through the dam than previously, pumping an additional 2,000 cubic feet per second.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
There are hopes for a postseason push in 2027, when Bedard enters his fourth NHL season, but general manager Kyle Davidson may be pumping the brakes — for now.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Bridges came up huge in the Hornets’ win over Miami on Tuesday, pumping in 28 points and swiping nine rebounds.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
These small pumps are designed to prevent flooding by automatically collecting groundwater, rainwater, or any other drippage, and pumping the water away from the foundation through a discharge pipe.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 16 Apr. 2026
Crews were hurriedly pumping water from a dam in Cheboygan, Michigan, this week, even removing floodgates to relieve pressure.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump then turned around, pumping his fist to those sitting behind him, smiling and waving, then pointed a few times to the crowd.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Khurais produces the type of light crude that Aramco had been pumping through the East-West pipeline, while Manifa and Aramco’s other offshore deposits generally pump thicker and heavier barrels.
—Clara Ferreira Marques, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
State officials said when the equipment is working at full capacity, the hydroelectric turbines can move nearly one-third more water through the dam than previously, pumping an additional 2,000 cubic feet per second.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
There are hopes for a postseason push in 2027, when Bedard enters his fourth NHL season, but general manager Kyle Davidson may be pumping the brakes — for now.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Bridges came up huge in the Hornets’ win over Miami on Tuesday, pumping in 28 points and swiping nine rebounds.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
These small pumps are designed to prevent flooding by automatically collecting groundwater, rainwater, or any other drippage, and pumping the water away from the foundation through a discharge pipe.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 16 Apr. 2026
Crews were hurriedly pumping water from a dam in Cheboygan, Michigan, this week, even removing floodgates to relieve pressure.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump then turned around, pumping his fist to those sitting behind him, smiling and waving, then pointed a few times to the crowd.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Khurais produces the type of light crude that Aramco had been pumping through the East-West pipeline, while Manifa and Aramco’s other offshore deposits generally pump thicker and heavier barrels.
—Clara Ferreira Marques, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
Verb
-
Naval mines bobbing in the waters of the Persian Gulf, threatening oil tankers.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Here on the shore, overlooking the lighthouse and the harbor’s bobbing boats, partners Claire Hanrahan and Andrew Ainslie’s restaurant is the epitome of laidback chic with its country-kitchen interiors and butter yellow frontage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But those comparisons won’t do The White Lotus any favors, since Beef is more effective than that series’ second and third seasons in interrogating how exclusive locations sharpen class differences.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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Season 50 is honoring its past and legacy, actively interrogating it, dropping players from different eras into direct competition and letting the game itself reveal what has changed and what hasn’t.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is actively draining the American wallet.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
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The perfusionist questioned the decision to stop disinfecting the units, saying his concern with draining was that if the tanks weren’t completely dry and still contained moisture, bacteria could form.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The starts were violent, ground-shaking and painfully loud.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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British counter-terrorism officers, some wearing protective clothing, are examining the scene near the Israeli embassy in London after police said an unnamed group claimed to have targeted the building with drones carrying dangerous substances.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
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Now, however, there’s confirmation that the FBI is examining DNA evidence recovered from the scene.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In an April 18 upload, the rocker could be seen sucking his wife's toes in one shot taken in their bed.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Barker, 50, shared his heartfelt Instagram post with a toe sucking picture just like everyone else does.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tony Fauci was not just jerking the country around.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
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The clip on TikTok shows the seat jerking abruptly, apparently from forceful pushes by the person seated behind her.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sources say the character didn’t survive test screenings (audiences kept questioning why Andy needed a roommate at all).—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
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Panamanian officials confirmed that Jalil was immediately transferred to the country’s Judicial Investigation Directorate and is expected to face questioning by prosecutors in the coming days.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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