pump

verb

Definition of pumpnext
1
as in to bob
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 to interrogate
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 to drain
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 pump When farmers pump heavily from wells, that lowers the water table and can diminish the river. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 The responsible gaming prompts telling me to pump the brakes were no match for the product design and promotions pushing me to do more gambling. — Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 26 Sep. 2026 Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered that just 500 million years after the Big Bang, galaxies were already pumping heavy elements into their surroundings. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Usha Vance, meanwhile, chose a cobalt-blue, high-neck silk dress by Saloni with Manolo Blahnik pumps. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pump
  1. bob
  2. interrogate
  3. drain
  4. shake
  5. examine
  6. jerk
  7. question
Verb
  • On a recent morning, surfers bobbed in the water off North Beach, not far from the rocky structure shoring up the train tracks by the sea.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • On Collins Ave in Miami Beach, the yachts along the intracoastal were bobbing nearly at street level.
    — Alex Harris Updated September 27, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of bob
Verb
  • Maybe that’s the point — the film seeks to interrogate Mark’s narcissism — but every interaction feels like it’s been flattened into a series of predictable accusations instead of something that might provoke surprise or reflection.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Intelligence officers transported him to a camp controlled by Colombia’s FARC guerrilla organization, where he was interrogated and tortured over approximately two days, according to the charges.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of interrogate
Verb
  • Flash flooding is of greatest concern in the Jonas Ridge, Ginger Cake Acres and Pisgah National Forest areas, along with streams and waterways that drain toward Lake James, Burke County officials said.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
  • On the ground floor, outside the main building, a humanoid was flat on its back after draining its battery during a demo.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • In Panama City, about 125 miles from the earthquake’s epicentral area, residents rushed from high-rise buildings when the ground began shaking Friday.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • When war breaks out, he is shaken from his sleep and runs for an air-raid shelter.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • But seeing my parents examining themselves in that way and connecting with people and putting themselves in vulnerable and silly and meaningful situations.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • And now Snider found himself here, under a bright, blue sky, annoyed as a fireman examined the staples on the side of his head.
    — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of examine
Verb
  • During the test, Linton jerked and twitched in what prosecutors described as an attempt to fake a seizure.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • And like any great sitcom, Friends runs the gamut from numbing brain-rot to tear-jerking sentimentality.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Reactions, however, ranged from pure fascination and respect for his 12-year project to critics questioning whether Tomlin, who parted ways with the Steelers in January of this year, had devoted too much time to his virtual city.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Allegations raise concerns over sensitive Chinese data Chinese regulators have reportedly questioned domestic AI developers following Anthropic’s allegations.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of question

Phrases Containing pump

Browse Nearby Words

pummels
pump
pumped
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Cite this Entry

“Pump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pump. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pump

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pump

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