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 hearts of these sharks showed severe fibrosis, which happens when scar tissue accumulates and causes stiffness that can impair pumping over time, the researchers wrote.
—
Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
The Royals were down to their final two outs in the top of the ninth inning, with tough closer Andres Munoz pumping high-velocity fastballs on the mound.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 3, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Anaheim stormed to a 3-1 series lead while pumping 20 goals past the Oilers, who looked slower and creakier than the Ducks.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Iranian officials acknowledge their ongoing efforts to keep pumping oil can only work for a period.
—Anthony Di Paola, Fortune, 2 May 2026
According to a press release, this included watching women who were breast-pumping and engaged in intimate acts.
—Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 2 May 2026
And Shugart got to leave the mound pumping his fists en route to becoming the first major-league pitcher to win two games in a day since 2013.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The painting, which shows Trump famously pumping his fist after surviving gunfire at a campaign rally, was installed in the White House State Floor in April 2025.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Not when Mason Miller is pumping strikes as part of a franchise-record heater.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
The Royals were down to their final two outs in the top of the ninth inning, with tough closer Andres Munoz pumping high-velocity fastballs on the mound.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 3, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Anaheim stormed to a 3-1 series lead while pumping 20 goals past the Oilers, who looked slower and creakier than the Ducks.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Iranian officials acknowledge their ongoing efforts to keep pumping oil can only work for a period.
—Anthony Di Paola, Fortune, 2 May 2026
According to a press release, this included watching women who were breast-pumping and engaged in intimate acts.
—Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 2 May 2026
And Shugart got to leave the mound pumping his fists en route to becoming the first major-league pitcher to win two games in a day since 2013.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The painting, which shows Trump famously pumping his fist after surviving gunfire at a campaign rally, was installed in the White House State Floor in April 2025.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Not when Mason Miller is pumping strikes as part of a franchise-record heater.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 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
-
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
-
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
-
Shane Lowry has the distinction of draining one of the more memorable putts in recent golf history.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Grow crocosmia in moist, organically rich, well-draining soil in full sun to light shade.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is the kind of car that would be a treat to see stateside – and likely one that will have American automakers shaking in their boots.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 May 2026
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Redick said, when going back into the rolodex of his career, that shaking off the rust – as Reaves is doing right now – can have different results depending on the scenario.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Given the highly turbulent nature of the solar atmosphere, researchers are now examining whether similar variations in type III burst drift rates could be driven by magnetic irregularities, including switchbacks or broader field deflections.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
-
Last month, Disability Law Colorado released a report examining conditions inside youth detention facilities.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Feeling restless and reckless, Michael (LJ Benet) is drawn to a hard-rocking local band that is secretly a quartet of young vampires that is literally sucking the life out of the community.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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In 1992, the Daily Mirror published photos of Bryan sucking on the royal’s toes while on vacation in Saint-Tropez.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pull the tick out gently, without jerking or ripping.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Tony Fauci was not just jerking the country around.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The aggressive political gains DeSantis and Republicans seek also have some in the party questioning whether the new map would put GOP incumbents at risk of losing future elections.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
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Despite the apology, Camp Mystic’s plans to reopen in late May with nearly 900 girls have angered victims’ families, and state officials are questioning whether the license should be renewed.—
Jim Vertuno,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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