bump 1 of 2

noun

ˈbəmp How to pronounce bump (audio)
Definition of bumpnext
1
as in swelling
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue that's a nasty bump on your arm where you hit the table

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2
as in demotion
the act or an instance of bringing to a lower grade or rank the bump was punishment for insubordination

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3
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things I felt the bump of the other car, but there was no damage to either vehicle

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bump

2 of 2

verb

as in to bang
to come into usually forceful contact with something that police officer bumped into me and should have apologized

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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 bump
Noun
The suspension is now absorbing bumps instead of shooting them into your spine. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026 The price target bumps came ahead of earnings from each, which will be out in a few weeks. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
The company recently completed the purchase of Curtis Instruments , announced two pending deals and bumped its annual dividend by 11%, marking 70 consecutive years of increases. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 Advanced subscribers can bump that to weekly for an additional $25 per month. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bump
  1. swelling
  2. demotion
  3. collision
  4. bang
  5. lump
  6. firing
  7. thump
  8. collide
Noun
  • Susac, whose season is likely over, is currently using crutches while wearing a large black brace on his knee while the swelling goes down.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Compression socks prevent swelling and discomfort in the legs by stimulating circulation.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of swelling
Noun
  • For influencers chasing a million impressions, that's a demotion.
    — Tammy Homegardner, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The revelation comes just weeks after another lawmaker and county executive candidate publicly raised allegations of corruption in the Jackson County Legislature — and faced his own demotion in the process.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of demotion
Noun
  • The collision killed 46-year-old Venancio Papalotzi-George of Meriden.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
  • This raises the risk of accidents or collisions and can void their insurance.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of collision
Verb
  • That looked like all Boise would need until Madison’s Aaron Edwards banged home a world-class equalizer in the 83rd minute, firing a shot from the left edge of the box and tucking it inside the right post.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Where grass grows right up to a tree’s trunk, the lawnmower will inevitably follow, banging and chipping the bark or scalping bark off roots that are exposed above the soil.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of bang
Noun
  • With this approach, creditors are asked to accept less than the amount owed in return for a lump-sum payment.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, a group of scientists reported that lumps of metal on the Pacific seafloor—which happened to be the target of seabed-mining operations—seemed to be producing dark oxygen.
    — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of lump
Noun
  • The exposé alleged that Gomez was trying to distance herself from the company and outlined the messy firing of chief executive Daniella Pierson.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • More than 10 individual firings, between 900-910°C, were needed to create the clock.
    — Ming Liu, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of firing
Noun
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ramirez was Miami’s primary catcher as a rookie last season and can add some thump to Miami’s lineup, but his work defensively remains underwhelming.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • Investigators determined that Skinner was impaired and failed to maintain his lane before crossing over the line and colliding with the CHP cruiser.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Supporters say soaring demand for electricity for AI data centers and EVs is colliding with California’s push for 100% clean power, leaving a stubborn gap in round-the-clock, low-carbon supply that should be met by nuclear.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of collide

Phrases Containing bump

Browse Nearby Words

bum (out)
bump
bumped
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Cite this Entry

“Bump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bump. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bump

Nglish: Translation of bump for Spanish Speakers

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