Synonyms of pumping

pumping

verb

present participle of pump

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

• bobbing
• shaking
• jerking
• swaying
• nodding
• jogging
• wagging
• seesawing
• rocking
• jouncing
• swinging
• ducking
• wiggling
• bobbling
• oscillating
• jiggling
• wobbling
• undulating
• dropping

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

• interrogating
• examining
• questioning
• grilling
• quizzing
• sweating
• querying
• catechizing
• picking the brains of
• giving the third degree to
• harassing
• debriefing
• pestering
• hounding
• annoying
• canvassing
• polling
• cross-examining
• cross-questioning

3

as in draining

to remove (liquid) gradually or completely

pumped water from the well

Synonyms & Similar Words

• draining
• sucking
• siphoning
• emptying
• tapping
• bleeding
• drawing (off)
• cleaning
• drafting
• evacuating
• milking
• flushing
• exhausting
• purging
• depleting
• clearing
• vacating
• voiding
• effusing
• vacuating
• decanting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• filling
• wetting
• washing
• soaking
• watering
• bathing
• drenching
• flooding
• dousing
• drowning
• overflowing
• inundating
• sousing
• swamping
• submerging
• deluging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pumping

Developed at the University of Sharjah’s Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering (RISE), this HyperFuel series could slash carbon footprints while pumping octane ratings up to 102. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026

Other festival highlights include a giant pumpkin regatta, glass making workshop, grape stomping competition, pumping carving, a youth makers market, crafts, face painting and bumper boats. — Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 1 Sep. 2026

First, the Huskies mixed it up with some marching band members on the practice field outside of Huskie Stadium, jumping in on a routine and exchanging fight songs, with the players chanting, clapping and pumping their fists during their version. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Land Rover is pumping the brakes on the all-electric Defender. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026

The victim, 21-year-old Derrick McDougal, had been out of custody for five weeks before he was gunned down while pumping gas a short distance from his Richmond home. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Slowing down pumping velocities prevents dangerous suction vortices from forming near the ceiling intake. — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Remaining construction includes a major upgrade to the underground pumping system to better handle rainwater. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

But smart TVs also had a logical, consumer-friendly purpose before the industry started pumping them with ads. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026