pumping

verb

Definition of pumpingnext
present participle of pump
Enter your own sentence containing pumping , and get words to replace it.
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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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pumping
  1. shaking
  2. examining
  3. sucking
  4. questioning
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
Definition of shaking
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
Definition of examining
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of sucking
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
Definition of questioning

Browse Nearby Words

pump-faking
pumping
pumping up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pumping. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of pumping for Spanish Speakers

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