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
Relevance
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
Examples 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 pumping
The rules govern the operations of dams, aqueducts and pumping plants in the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project, two of the world’s largest water systems, which deliver supplies to Central Valley farmlands and about 30 million people.
—
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Just beyond the crowds of Urbanites packed at the makeshift stage were travelers going about their business, pumping gas into their SUVs and RVs and carrying armloads of brisket sandwiches to their cars.
—Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 23 Dec. 2024
Edge rusher Jared Verse recovered the fumble, and three plays later Stafford completed his pass to Higbee, who celebrated his touchdown by spiking the ball and pumping his right fist.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
However even when out of the water the motor in my decoy kept pumping.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 19 Dec. 2024
Wilson is seen in footage posted to social media jumping around and pumping his fists in the air during the high-energy song, which featured what appeared to be pyrotechnic effects.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
The discharge happened on Line 6, which was built in 1968, and the pumping station was shut down and isolated, the report says.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
The race to build quantum computers that will replace the fastest supercomputers of the day is heating up, and companies are pumping billions of dollars to reach their first.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2024
For now, he'll be focused on pumping life full of adventure and meaning.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Just beyond the crowds of Urbanites packed at the makeshift stage were travelers going about their business, pumping gas into their SUVs and RVs and carrying armloads of brisket sandwiches to their cars.
—Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 23 Dec. 2024
Edge rusher Jared Verse recovered the fumble, and three plays later Stafford completed his pass to Higbee, who celebrated his touchdown by spiking the ball and pumping his right fist.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
However even when out of the water the motor in my decoy kept pumping.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 19 Dec. 2024
Wilson is seen in footage posted to social media jumping around and pumping his fists in the air during the high-energy song, which featured what appeared to be pyrotechnic effects.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
The discharge happened on Line 6, which was built in 1968, and the pumping station was shut down and isolated, the report says.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
The race to build quantum computers that will replace the fastest supercomputers of the day is heating up, and companies are pumping billions of dollars to reach their first.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2024
For now, he'll be focused on pumping life full of adventure and meaning.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
Verb
-
Symptoms like a fast heart rate, or shortness of breath, shaking and chills, confusion or lethargy.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Your ruler Mercury will also station retrograde in Sagittarius—your seventh house of partnerships—on November 9, revealing all the ways your desires for independence may be shaking things up with up your closest allies and enemies.Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
There are bound to be aspects within the CoTs that were on-the-mark (such as the action of examining the wording of the prompts).Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Then, in June 2023, reports surfaced that the committee was re-examining the allegations surrounding the controversial lawmaker after the Justice Department declined to charge him.Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Lake-effect snowstorms occur when cold, dry air travels over open water, sucking up moisture that is released when the air mass hits land.Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Advertisement California Kids are sucking down baby food pouches at record rates.Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Despite more positive reports in previous months, concerns remain about the economic outlook, leaving policymakers and businesses questioning whether the downturn in confidence will translate to slower growth in 2024.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Posts may leave us questioning our qualifications, competence, and intelligence.Dr. Angélica S. Gutiérrez, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pumping
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share