thumping 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of thumpingnext
as in extremely
to a great degree wrote several thumping big books on World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

thumping

2 of 3

noun

as in pounding

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

thumping

3 of 3

verb

present participle of thump
1
as in slapping
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner thumped the desk with his hand as he delivered his speech

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in licking
to strike repeatedly playfully knocked his younger brother down and began to thump him with a foam bat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 thumping
Noun
Filled with gray, silty water, the pool was vigorously boiling and producing loud thumping sounds caused by steam bubbles forming and collapsing beneath the surface. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 24 June 2026 The infant’s heart beats into the night, like the thumping of a little giant, breaking rocks deep in the Mines of Moria. — Literary Hub, 19 June 2026 Meanwhile, Paraguay is coming off a 4-0 thumping of Nicaragua in their final tune-up before the World Cup. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026 Milan’s 4-0 thumping of Barcelona in 1994 was anomalous compared with the rest of their European campaign that season, but their defensive foundations were strong — with half of their six group games finishing 0-0. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 29 May 2026 The aim wasn’t to make the chatbot Bible-thumping or pious. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 26 May 2026 Minnesota's 6-1 thumping of its Central Division rival in Game 1 sets up the possibility Monday night to go up 2-0 in a playoff series for the first time in 15 postseason appearances over its 25-season history. — CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026 The thumping, upbeat dance-pop track was produced and co-written with Zhone, and sees Lovato celebrating how much her low-rise jeans are turning someone on. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026 His preferred genre was hardstyle—frantic thumping remixes of pop songs by the likes of Katy Perry and Taylor Swift. — Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Set amidst the thumping techno beats of a former car factory, the pop-up offered multi-course fine dining lunches and casual evening bites. — Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Senegal did not even get to celebrate a late consolation, with Mbappe thumping the ball home brilliantly from distance. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku has become the first player in World Cup history to score as a substitute in four matches — his last coming in the 4-1 thumping over the United States in the round of 16. — David Hickey, NBC news, 10 July 2026 Somewhere between the thumping nightlife of Atlantic City and the majestic Victorians of Cape May lies the sleepy coastal town of Stone Harbor, New Jersey. — Kathleen O’Neill, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026 Inside the large, secure space, my thumping heart was immediately set at ease. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 Beats Studio Pro Headphones Deal The Beats Studio Pro headphones are both powerful and stylish, delivering heart-thumping bass while looking cool on your head. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026 Coproduced with Grayson Beatz, the track is laid back compared to his other bass-thumping, suspenseful works. — Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 June 2026 The steady pulsing of milking machines mingled with a thumping musical beat as McAfee marched down the rows, pointing to their light pink udders. — CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumping
  1. extremely
  2. pounding
  3. slapping
  4. licking
  5. very
  6. thrashing
  7. smacking
  8. lashing
Adverb
  • The wildfires broke out over the weekend across the Spokane area, fueled by very strong winds combined with extremely dry conditions.
    — Melissa Griffin, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • However, experts say that legal decision was extremely narrow, with some arguing it was likely misinterpreted by migrants and traffickers.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of extremely
Noun
  • Rucking targets both at once without the joint pounding of running or the recovery debt of hard gym sessions.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
  • Rutted migration routes, carved by the constant pounding of animal hooves, littered northern Pennsylvania.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Definition of pounding
Verb
  • This one is a badass soldier/leader, who can’t stop slapping Stuart, Kripke and Bert.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • The Congolese drum, a traditional instrument of the Luba people, makes a sound akin to the hand slapping skin.
    — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, admitted to licking the straw and returning it to the vending machine while recording the act for his online followers.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • That means no tasting cookie dough made with raw eggs, no licking brownie batter off the beaters, and no homemade Caesar dressing made with uncooked yolks.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 23 July 2026
Definition of licking
Adverb
  • Veejay is a great model and sells Naheim’s and Jeffrey’s outfits, which are both really fashionable and exciting; Jeffrey’s burgundy suit is very femme-fatale Ursula.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
  • Moore has earned the praise after having a very strong spring.
    — Mike Kaye July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of very
Noun
  • In two games since the league returned from a World Cup break, Portland has won both, including a 5-1 thrashing of rival Seattle Sounders.
    — Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The Blågult had started so well, mind you, with a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Definition of thrashing
Verb
  • Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • With a Triple-A pitcher called up for a spot start and a utilityman smacking an early two-run homer, the Boston Red Sox, having now won eight straight games, keep winning with an unlikely formula.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • Koivun launched himself into the lead at TPC Twin Cities by lashing a 305-yard approach shot to 12 feet on the par-5 12th hole.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 28 July 2026
  • But during his visit, the fifth in line to the British throne incited more controversy by lashing out publicly after a High Court judge delivered a devastating ruling in his lawsuit against the Daily Mail.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Definition of lashing

Browse Nearby Words

thumped
thumping
thumps
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumping. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on thumping

Nglish: Translation of thumping for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All