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 adrenaline’s pumping [after] being out for a while.
—
Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026
Lavrenov is still pumping his fist and yelling to no one in particular after an inspired play because of what the sport means to him.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Farmers will have to stop pumping as much.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
His first job in high school was pumping gas for $3 an hour.
—Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Musk was a big contributor to Trump's reelection efforts in 2024, pumping more than $200 million into the race through his America PAC, and later worked with the administration through its Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative aimed at cutting federal spending and regulations.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Jan. 2026
Beijing is pumping money into the industry, backing research efforts and helping launch a new wave of labs and incubators in the country.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
In her statement, McLaughlin did not provide details about the incidents with Omar, the man pumping gas or the man at the vehicle charging station.
—Shaquille Brewster, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
Despite Buffett’s business pumping $35 million into it, the company was still struggling.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026
Lavrenov is still pumping his fist and yelling to no one in particular after an inspired play because of what the sport means to him.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Farmers will have to stop pumping as much.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
His first job in high school was pumping gas for $3 an hour.
—Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Musk was a big contributor to Trump's reelection efforts in 2024, pumping more than $200 million into the race through his America PAC, and later worked with the administration through its Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative aimed at cutting federal spending and regulations.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Jan. 2026
Beijing is pumping money into the industry, backing research efforts and helping launch a new wave of labs and incubators in the country.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
In her statement, McLaughlin did not provide details about the incidents with Omar, the man pumping gas or the man at the vehicle charging station.
—Shaquille Brewster, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
Despite Buffett’s business pumping $35 million into it, the company was still struggling.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
Verb
-
Still, the infant’s head can be seen bobbing up and down.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
20 Jan. 2026
-
SpaceX support crews stationed near the landing site quickly reached the gently bobbing spacecraft and hauled it aboard a company recovery ship where flight surgeons were standing by to carry out initial medical checks.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Obsessed with this Russian Jewish queen interrogating Robby about his single status.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
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Jones was especially struck by reports of ICE detaining and interrogating children on their way to and from school.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Clay-heavy soils under many Michigan roads, especially around Metro Detroit, trap moisture rather than draining it.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Public schools in Florida are funded on a per-student basis, and schools that operate at about half capacity or less typically do not generate enough money to be self-supporting, instead draining the district’s budget.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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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The study was helmed by a group of German scientists examining the effects of ocean acidity.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
26 Jan. 2026
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Future studies will focus on improving the model, testing the system in larger groups and examining how real-time physiological data can inform care outside the clinic.—
Mayo Clinic News Network,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Safety Kam Curl made a sliding catch at the Rams’ 22, and sucking the oxygen out of the 60,253 at Soldier Field.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
19 Jan. 2026
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This includes applying a tourniquet and cutting, sucking or icing the wound.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The tear-jerking dramedy featured a breakthrough role for Emilia Jones, an Oscar-winning, scene-stealing turn by Troy Kotsur and a thoughtful narrative that took audiences into the personal lives of a deaf family with a single hearing member.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
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That jerking motion, combined with detergent and water, loosens dirt from the surfaces of clothing.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The incident heightened national attention on aviation safety in 2025, with many people questioning whether flying was safe.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Online posts questioning the city’s account continued into the week, and protesters have kept returning to the Hyatt, banging pots and chanting in subfreezing temperatures.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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