pumps

verb

present tense third-person singular of pump
1
as in bobs
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 interrogates
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 drains
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely pumped water from the well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pumps The crustacean also has a sizable recreational and commercial fishery, which pumps significant money into the state’s economy, the department said. — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 At Royal Ascot in June, Camilla closed the meeting in sand suede Eliot Zed pumps with a bespoke honey heel after three consecutive days in Chanel. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 9 July 2026 During the interview, Burgum also said the green algae that was permeating the pool has now been fixed, thanks to nanobubbler technology that pumps tiny ozone bubbles into the water to damage algae’s cells. — Philip Wang, Time, 6 July 2026 As has been a favorite this year, Kate wore Ralph Lauren pumps, as well as sunglasses from the brand at points throughout the day. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 3 July 2026 At the same time, the heart pumps more blood to help regulate body temperature. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Another way that Sheridan pumps projects out is by avoiding typical industry practices. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026 Lymphatic System vs Circulatory System Your heart pumps blood. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 The Griz constantly pumps the rod to get his bait darting forward and then dropping back. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumps
  1. bobs
  2. interrogates
  3. drains
  4. shakes
  5. examines
  6. siphons
  7. jerks
  8. questions
Verb
  • Her head bobs gently, then sharply tilts at specific moments, particularly when certain words cut through the stream of conversation.
    — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Just after lunchtime on a Saturday in November, a sea of purple braids bobs in unison, barely clearing the tops of the movie-theater seats behind them.
    — Eliza Berman, Time, 9 Dec. 2025
Definition of bobs
Verb
  • Writer-director Ari Aster interrogates not just the social and political turmoil of COVID-19, but also the way social media can exacerbate that unraveling of collective neuroses.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
  • Barragán originally set out to find the man who scammed his mother by posing as a handsome American soldier, but now interrogates four of these young men, illuminating their psychological tactics, economic hardships and moral dilemmas.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Definition of interrogates
Verb
  • But pushing through outdoor events in 90+-degree weather drains cognitive reserves rather than replenishing them.
    — Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Nutrient leaching when water drains out of containers and baskets adds to the problem.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
Definition of drains
Verb
  • Dollar Tree quietly stocks shelf-stable protein shakes, protein bars and cheese sticks that can round out a breakfast or refuel a busy afternoon without straining a tight budget.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
  • Shelf-stable protein shakes worth stocking Shelf-stable protein shakes are one of the easiest ways to add protein to a busy day, and Dollar Tree carries a couple of options that don’t require refrigeration until opened.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of shakes
Verb
  • While the human brain interprets motion as a fluid pattern, multimodal AI still examines videos by their individual frames.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 July 2026
  • As Singh tries to prevent that from happening, his efforts are transposed with Gaitonde’s story, an epic tale that examines the nature of power amid the city’s religious and economic tensions.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of examines
Verb
  • Constantly landing on jokes — like in its portrayal of Lockjaw and his efforts to become a member of the Christmas Adventurers Club, a powerful white-supremacists faction — siphons a sense of urgency from the film’s sketches of American unrest and white male violence.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
  • The filing comes days after Spotify was accused in another class action lawsuit of permitting massive amounts of streaming fraud on its platform, which siphons royalties from artists whose numbers aren’t artificially inflated.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of siphons
Verb
  • In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of jerks
Verb
  • The show questions whether Munch’s public commissions celebrated workers or simply created an appealing image for industry.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2026
  • Peterson's former attorney, Mark Geragos, is among those featured in the documentary that questions Peterson's 2004 conviction.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of questions

Browse Nearby Words

pumping up
pumps
pumps up
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Cite this Entry

“Pumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumps. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of pumps for Spanish Speakers

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