PUMPING Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

pumping

verb

present participle of pump

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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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

as in draining

to remove (liquid) gradually or completely pumped water from the well

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 pumping Developed at the University of Sharjah’s Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering (RISE), this HyperFuel series could slash carbon footprints while pumping octane ratings up to 102. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 Other festival highlights include a giant pumpkin regatta, glass making workshop, grape stomping competition, pumping carving, a youth makers market, crafts, face painting and bumper boats. — Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 1 Sep. 2026 First, the Huskies mixed it up with some marching band members on the practice field outside of Huskie Stadium, jumping in on a routine and exchanging fight songs, with the players chanting, clapping and pumping their fists during their version. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Land Rover is pumping the brakes on the all-electric Defender. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 The victim, 21-year-old Derrick McDougal, had been out of custody for five weeks before he was gunned down while pumping gas a short distance from his Richmond home. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 Slowing down pumping velocities prevents dangerous suction vortices from forming near the ceiling intake. — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 Remaining construction includes a major upgrade to the underground pumping system to better handle rainwater. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 But smart TVs also had a logical, consumer-friendly purpose before the industry started pumping them with ads. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping

Verb

But the calm day gave way to terror when her uncle again looked out into the ocean and saw Summer’s head bobbing in and out of the water.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
And when the sun is shining, that also means the water’s sparkling, sailboats are bobbing, and seagulls are cawing.

— Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of bobbing

Verb

Jacobsen, after interrogating scientific and security experts around the world, has imagined an accident at a Siberian lab that launches a runaway outbreak.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 2026
Fort Worth house The episode opens with Kyle (Thad Luckinbill) interrogating Oleksandra (Elizaveta Neretin) about the attack at Joe’s house.

— Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of interrogating

Verb

Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
The law paved the way for thousands of victims to sue their abusers but has been criticized for draining the coffers of local governments.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of draining

Verb

That afternoon, the president, inside the exposition’s ornate Temple of Music, greeted members of the public, shaking hands and warmly inviting them to explore the fair.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
The handcuffs were taken off, and he was allowed to board, shaking with shock.

— Shimon Prokupecz, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of shaking

Verb

Doctors examining the previously healthy teenager at a Los Angeles hospital discovered a subdural hematoma, a life-threatening injury which occurs when blood collects on the surface of the brain.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
The group had been examining the middle finger on Sasaki’s right hand.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of examining

Verb

It’s been a decade since the company best known for sucking up hair balls and dust bunnies blew with great force into the beauty business.

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
And sometimes, the novel, certainly that big 400-page tome, can be overwhelming, daunting, and time-sucking for today’s reader.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of sucking

Verb

His government has consistently avoided criticizing Morocco, but Sánchez condemned comments from two Moroccan ministers questioning the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, another Spain's other territory in North Africa.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
But the design quickly sparked backlash and support online, with some applauding the farm's call for civil discourse and others questioning why Kirk was chosen as the face of one of the attraction's biggest annual draws.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of questioning

Browse Nearby Words

pump-faking

pumping

pumping up

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pumping

verb

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