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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pumping
The Federal Reserve only just started bringing down short-term interest rates in recent months after pumping them up in the last two years to address inflation.
—
Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025
When pumping was sped up, the water created a vortex in each opening that allowed water, but not particles, through.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024
Asher said states and local governments, as well as philanthropies, are pumping money into programs to bring down violent crime.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024
The plan calls for pumping nearly a million cubic yards of sand from offshore deposits onto the beach, holding the sand there between two artificial headlands and building an artificial reef to protect it.
—Philip Diehl, The Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2024
Jones sprinted to the middle of the field, bouncing up and down, excitedly pumping his right fist.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
The latest pummeling from the ocean worries officials and some locals, who wonder how common such dangerously strong and frequent waves may become in Santa Cruz, worsened by a warming climate that is raising sea levels and pumping more energy into the waves.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
The hill, a 500-foot run with a 60-foot drop, is a sure-fire way for riders to get their hearts pumping.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 25 Dec. 2024
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
Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025
When pumping was sped up, the water created a vortex in each opening that allowed water, but not particles, through.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024
Asher said states and local governments, as well as philanthropies, are pumping money into programs to bring down violent crime.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024
The plan calls for pumping nearly a million cubic yards of sand from offshore deposits onto the beach, holding the sand there between two artificial headlands and building an artificial reef to protect it.
—Philip Diehl, The Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2024
Jones sprinted to the middle of the field, bouncing up and down, excitedly pumping his right fist.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
The latest pummeling from the ocean worries officials and some locals, who wonder how common such dangerously strong and frequent waves may become in Santa Cruz, worsened by a warming climate that is raising sea levels and pumping more energy into the waves.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
The hill, a 500-foot run with a 60-foot drop, is a sure-fire way for riders to get their hearts pumping.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 25 Dec. 2024
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
Verb
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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
-
The military is examining options for soldiers to control the distribution of food limited to a minimum caloric amount necessary for survival, the person said.—
Anas Baba,
NPR,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The examining magistrate now has to decide what direction to give to the proceedings.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Directed by Robert Eggers, the gothic horror film sees newlyweds Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) and Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) haunted by the treacherous, blood-sucking Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
30 Dec. 2024
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This time around, even critics were convinced, joining in with libidinous fans to praise the blood-sucking second season, which was recently nominated for two Critics Choice Awards after being largely snubbed by voting bodies last year.—
Elaina Patton,
NBC News,
27 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
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Posts may leave us questioning our qualifications, competence, and intelligence.—
Dr. Angélica S. Gutiérrez,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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