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
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pumping
Recent studies in the New England Journal of Medicine previously showed that starting beta-blockers soon after a heart attack did not improve major outcomes for certain patients with normal heart pumping function.
—
Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
In a second, shorter video also shared to social media, Kid Rock is seen from a different angle pumping his fist at the first helicopter outside his house.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The Houthi attack comes just as Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline is now pumping oil at its full capacity of 7 million barrels a day, sending crude to the Red Sea port of Yanbu and circumventing the Strait of Hormuz.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
On Sunday afternoon’s trip to Dickies Arena, the Huskies were pumping music through the speaker system on their bus.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
There is no substitute for pumping oil from the ground and sending it directly to clients.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Genes for pumping sodium multiplied, to purge excess salt.
—David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
On March 13, Wright issued an order directing Sable to restart pumping and moving oil from the system.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
In Tokyo, regulations imposed limits on pumping.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
In a second, shorter video also shared to social media, Kid Rock is seen from a different angle pumping his fist at the first helicopter outside his house.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The Houthi attack comes just as Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline is now pumping oil at its full capacity of 7 million barrels a day, sending crude to the Red Sea port of Yanbu and circumventing the Strait of Hormuz.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
On Sunday afternoon’s trip to Dickies Arena, the Huskies were pumping music through the speaker system on their bus.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
There is no substitute for pumping oil from the ground and sending it directly to clients.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Genes for pumping sodium multiplied, to purge excess salt.
—David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
On March 13, Wright issued an order directing Sable to restart pumping and moving oil from the system.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
In Tokyo, regulations imposed limits on pumping.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
Verb
-
Rare was the creative artist, post-1970, who wasn’t churned up by bobbing in the Beatles’ wake.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Little wonder, then, that the 2026 Padres are viewed as a sea-level performer, bobbing in San Diego Bay.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The board will spend the next few months interrogating submissions from all three cities and speaking to their champions in more detail.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
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Grossman succeeds in interrogating the very gaze his film is built upon, yet never fully escapes it, leaving the documentary caught between critique and complicity.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No jumping back into draining obligations.—
Tiffany Aliche,
SELF,
30 Mar. 2026
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When correctly implemented, first-time business owners can avoid many of the common time-draining processes.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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The fine powder is very messy to work with, however, so simply shaking it onto your chain wouldn't be practical.—
Ben Coxworth
March 27,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the critical minerals landscape as of early 2026, examining individual mineral profiles, supply chain vulnerabilities, geopolitical dynamics, and the technical innovations that may reshape supply over the coming decade.—
Interesting Engineering,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, Soames perambulates a park with Irene, examining works of art in progress.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Are there ways to prevent ticks from sucking on his body?—
Jane Sykes,
Washington Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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Though the Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District may be sucking up much of the political oxygen within Indianapolis, Republican voters on the south side of the city will have their own choices to make.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tony Fauci was not just jerking the country around.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
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The clip on TikTok shows the seat jerking abruptly, apparently from forceful pushes by the person seated behind her.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Pattinson is like a manic roller coaster on screen, increasingly off the rails as the weight of Emma’s reveal has Charlie questioning everything and reacting badly to the situation.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The leaders of the Senate committee that oversees the FCC are questioning how the agency gave approval to the Nexstar–Tegna transaction, the massive broadcast station merger that already has been paused by a federal court.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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