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
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
For years, major medical organizations like the American Heart Association have recommended aiming to get at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity a week.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Instead of pumping carbon dioxide gas into the air, the plant will liquefy the compound.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
That's when Lutes said his ''adrenaline started pumping pretty hard.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv's forces were working to expand their long-range strikes inside Russia, with their sights set on oil refineries, the pumping heart of Moscow's war economy.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Brown’s descendants, and their spouses, are responsible for pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into the community and spending countless hours serving on local nonprofit boards.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
During a stage of sleep called slow-wave, neurons pulse rhythmically, pumping cerebrospinal fluid through their interstitial gaps to wash themselves clean.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
But the engineers still need to cool the nuclear fuel inside those reactors by pumping water over it in a constant cycle.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2025
For years, major medical organizations like the American Heart Association have recommended aiming to get at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity a week.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Instead of pumping carbon dioxide gas into the air, the plant will liquefy the compound.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
That's when Lutes said his ''adrenaline started pumping pretty hard.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv's forces were working to expand their long-range strikes inside Russia, with their sights set on oil refineries, the pumping heart of Moscow's war economy.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Brown’s descendants, and their spouses, are responsible for pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into the community and spending countless hours serving on local nonprofit boards.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
During a stage of sleep called slow-wave, neurons pulse rhythmically, pumping cerebrospinal fluid through their interstitial gaps to wash themselves clean.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
But the engineers still need to cool the nuclear fuel inside those reactors by pumping water over it in a constant cycle.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
Verb
-
In the clip, Lecaillier cuts, tapes and shapes her materials until a wonderfully bonkers ostrich begins to take form — complete with flapping wings and a bobbing neck made from little more than determination and a sense of humor.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
There is nothing more disconcerting than seeing rolls of toilet paper bobbing down the hallway.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Police were interrogating Smith at the same time.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
In the moments before Murphy’s goal, Jarrod Bowen had struck the right post, but the sense of hope draining from West Ham’s ground was lost on Howe’s players.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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According to the GoFundMe, which was started by Wall, Leo is facing a long recovery and currently has a tube draining saliva.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Start the process by vigorously shaking or hanging then pounding the rug to remove loose dirt, crumbs, and other particles, then vacuum it thoroughly on both sides, using a canister vacuum with the hose or a high pile setting—and no beater bar!—
Jennifer Beck Goldblatt,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Part of it was that Mark Kerr was sitting right beside him, shaking through the entire film—for many reasons.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Parente claims he has been blocked from fully examining the vehicle since it was returned.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Blue Moon is the other side of the idiosyncratic-artist coin, examining not the airy start of something major but a man bereft of his best collaborator.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Otherwise, lady beetles and ladybugs can actually help out your garden by eating up aphids, the small and sap-sucking insects that can kill off plants.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Sounds like the plot of a tear-jerking movie, no?—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Critics are still questioning his tactics, his fundraising, and the contents of an in-progress review of the party’s 2024 election mistakes.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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In his remarks, Moss cast doubt on the credibility of that defense, repeatedly questioning the quick-twitch decision to demand that NPR no longer run the distribution system after such a longstanding arrangement.—
NPR,
NPR,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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