pumps up

verb

present tense third-person singular of pump up
1
as in thrills
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of the crowd was pumped up by the band's rocking performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in increases
to make greater in size, amount, or number that pop diva is trying to pump up album sales with an extended publicity tour

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 up The new offering is the producer’s Extra Umami Hot Chili Crisp, which dials back some of the spice and pumps up the savory flavor. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026 The Brilliance adjustment reduces highlights and pumps up shadows simultaneously, which can help an image look more balanced (similar to an HDR effect). — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026 An available $14,600 titanium exhaust system from the supplier Akrapovič pumps up the volume. — Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 12 June 2026 The Wild and Stars were the next-best teams in the West, and Minnesota took out Dallas in the first round — because the NHL (still) has a (ridiculous) playoff system that pumps up division winners instead of the actual best teams. — John Shipley, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026 Trashie has fully acquired Savvy Search AI, a discovery and recommendation search engine, as the recycling and rewards startup pumps up personalization across its platform. — Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2026 The arena announcer further pumps up the audience. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026 This version of tomato salad pumps up flavorful heirloom tomatoes with strips of sweet roasted bell pepper and crunchy roasted black-eyed peas, which are the perfect little Southern croutons. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025 Philips wireless earbuds are ultra-compact earbuds with a dynamic bass option that pumps up the sound even when listening at a lower volume. — Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumps up
  1. thrills
  2. increases
  3. excites
  4. expands
  5. electrifies
  6. accelerates
  7. turns on
  8. boosts
Verb
  • Railing against a new crop of progressive candidates has emerged as a more animating focus for a president who thrills to a fight.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Her strict economy, honed by her early years of writing and endlessly revising (under the exacting eye of Allene Talmey) tight captions for Vogue, thrills the editor in me.
    — Zinzi Clemmons, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Definition of thrills
Verb
  • In fact, studies show that caffeinated coffee increases colon contractions by 60% more than plain water.
    — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The issue has become increasingly important as the rapid expansion of AI increases demand for electricity across the country.
    — Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of increases
Verb
  • Ask what excites or concerns people and what leadership may be overlooking.
    — Irene Thong, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
  • One of the things that excites me about casting Batman is being able to pick a Batman who’s actually the best actor for that role.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of excites
Verb
  • Production expands through 2028 BAE Systems initially manufactured LRASM sensors at relatively low production volumes.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The order expands on previous efforts to hold the department accountable for the rogue subgroups, which have been alleged to promote a culture of violence.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of expands
Verb
  • Standing amid the ruins of the villa and grotto, you might be overwhelmed by the ancient mythology that electrifies the air here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • What starts as one state utility trying to see its own network more clearly could end up as part of the blueprint for how the developing world electrifies its future.
    — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Definition of electrifies
Verb
  • Its electric motor drives the fan, which accelerates air backward to produce forward thrust.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Google just posted two quarters of negative free cash flow for the first time on record as AI spending accelerates while revenue isn’t growing as fast as expected.
    — Lucy Bayly, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of accelerates
Verb
  • When spring comes, the homeowner turns on the AC and nothing happens.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress who delighted TV viewers with her light-hearted turns on The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie before quitting at the peak of her powers, has died.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of turns on
Verb
  • The climate pattern also boosts precipitation in Florida from fall to spring.
    — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026
  • However many fuel boosts Starship ends up needing to get from LEO to the surface of the moon, its staggered orbital staging will apparently create some flexibility around when SLS can launch the Artemis IV astronauts to begin their mission.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of boosts

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Cite this Entry

“Pumps up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumps%20up. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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