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
Officials have begun pumping the brakes a bit.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Gooding yells giddily, triumphantly jumping and fist-pumping the air.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Sports are always better when the story ends with greatness — with Tiger Woods pumping his fist, not Shane Lowry fighting back tears.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Yet, the gambling companies such as DraftKings and FanDuel are pumping big money into legislative campaigns right now to curry favor with lawmakers.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
In 2002, the Missionary Ridge Fire filled both rivers with ash and debris and forced the city to cut back pumping.
—David Marston, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
In what has become something of a muse for many of the president’s artistic supporters, there are at least three other depictions of the fist-pumping scene in the White House.
—New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Each aquifer responds uniquely to pumping and prolonged dry periods.
—Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Epic Pass or regular lift ticket in hand, head up to Vail Ski Resort to get your fill of your favorite high-altitude, heart-pumping activity.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Gooding yells giddily, triumphantly jumping and fist-pumping the air.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Sports are always better when the story ends with greatness — with Tiger Woods pumping his fist, not Shane Lowry fighting back tears.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Yet, the gambling companies such as DraftKings and FanDuel are pumping big money into legislative campaigns right now to curry favor with lawmakers.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
In 2002, the Missionary Ridge Fire filled both rivers with ash and debris and forced the city to cut back pumping.
—David Marston, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
In what has become something of a muse for many of the president’s artistic supporters, there are at least three other depictions of the fist-pumping scene in the White House.
—New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Each aquifer responds uniquely to pumping and prolonged dry periods.
—Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Epic Pass or regular lift ticket in hand, head up to Vail Ski Resort to get your fill of your favorite high-altitude, heart-pumping activity.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
Verb
-
Even as the Hudson Theatre was still filling up, the star of the Harry Potter movie franchise (and much theater after that) was bobbing and flitting from row to row, exuding equal parts friendliness and determination of purpose.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The most effective methods are those that involve movement, such as long strips of aluminum foil, holographic mylar tape streamers, or bobbing balloons, says Pierce.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Such works treat their characters as political beings with complex lives worth interrogating.—
Jake Pitre,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Even if your wardrobe leans more trendy, try interrogating yourself about certain pieces in your closet.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This boost in oil revenue would likely hand Putin new revenue for his war effort in Ukraine, an enormous expenditure that has been draining Russia’s economy, according to James Henderson at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Find a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Weak to light shaking has been detected and people reported feeling the tremor in several cities, including Geyserville, Kelseyville and Cloverdale according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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But Bergeron was there every time his team needed a big stop, leaving the Vikings (15-7-2) shaking their heads many times.—
Matt Roy,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Military planners in Washington are examining a high-risk option to secure Iran’s near bomb grade uranium as uncertainty grows over where the material is located.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Investigators are examining their past travel, including trips to Turkey and potentially other locations known as terror training grounds.—
Ashley Carnahan , Alexis McAdams , CB Cotton,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, Utah is working to remove a nonnative reed called phragmites, which is growing on the lake surface and sucking down twice as much water as native plants.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
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Beyond nearly 50,000 rpms worth of asphalt-sucking fan power, the Spéirling requires a pair of electric drive motors that measure among the most power-dense out there.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But then her limbs started jerking.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ted Mesiacos, 3rd Ward, voted against the program after similarly questioning why the city was starting its own when the state already had a similar initiative.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Older siblings or classmates might drop hints that leave children questioning what to believe during their Easter egg hunt.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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