THUDDING Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

thudding

verb

present participle of thud

as in bumping

to come into usually forceful contact with something the snowball thudded against the side of my car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 thudding Running backs earn trust not just through their burst past thudding defenders in no-tackle practices, but especially through their pass-protection ability and receiver capabilities. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 24 July 2026 But the data center surge could come to a sudden, thudding halt if those big companies do not soon see a return on their investment. — Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 2 July 2026 This music is often so simplistic—tenth-grade emo-thirst-trap-core with yearning synths, thudding drums, and maybe a lick of guitar—that a machine could do it too. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026 Some place where the days were days and the nights fell with thudding certainty. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026 My heart begins thudding in time with her step. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 9 June 2026 The mantra is set against the kind of thudding club beat that defined the earliest phases of her career. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2026 Each must traverse more than a mile-and-a-half of terrain, through a canyon, into shadows and out, over rolls that hurl the body half a football field through the air before thudding it back down again. — Barry Svrluga, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2026 The latest version kicks off with a moody set piece before a gun shot and thudding drums make way for a beat that sounds like a drowning beeper. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thudding

Verb

Traveling down conveyor belts, bumping around on baggage carts and in cargo holds, suitcases quickly pick up scuffs that can be hard to remove.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026
And for everyone in the F1 paddock, there is now additional clarity on plans for the second half of the season heading into the summer break, while bumping the calendar back up to a provisional 23 races.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of bumping

Verb

But according to rocket scientists at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), slamming a nuclear warhead directly into the side of a space rock is a rookie mistake.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Charlotte faced off with Lash Legend, and Lash got the better of Charlotte by slamming her on a ladder.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of slamming

Verb

In the end, the matchup felt like two eras colliding between two different franchises.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Special Agent Berger was not involved here, but federal officers accused Redmond of colliding with the back of a car operated by Border Patrol agents.

— Conor Wight, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of colliding

Verb

Morton kosher salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring often and smashing fruit with a wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula, until plums are broken up and mixture thickens to a jammy consistency, 10–15 minutes.

— Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026
Beyond Medic's smashing victory in the main event, a few fighters made significant statements.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of smashing

Verb

As a Flamengo defender attempted to pass the ball to a teammate, the blue-and-yellow bird dove straight toward him, sending the startled teen crashing to the ground in a panic.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
After crashing, the plane caught fire, making any rescue impossible, according to Peruvian broadcaster RPP.

— Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of crashing

Verb

Elarms-Orr didn’t think Kincaid was down and laid a sizable hit on the tight end, knocking him to the ground again.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Wahab said she’s been hard at work on the campaign trail hosting town hall discussions, knocking door-to-door and meeting constituents in the district.

— Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of knocking

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thudded

thudding

thuds

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“Thudding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thudding. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of thudding

verb

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