1
as in swelling
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue
that's a nasty bump on your arm where you hit the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to bang
to come into usually forceful contact with something
that police officer bumped into me and should have apologized
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bump
Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
The cushions haven’t sagged, the corners haven’t weathered despite enduring many bumps, and the navy hue hasn’t faded at all.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 May 2026
Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
Drivers trading paint started early as there was bumping coming down the front stretch to take the green flag before Lap 1.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bump
Noun
Atvara, who spent years working in teaching, journalism, and marketing before returning to her first love, puts her classical training to good use, particularly during a goose-bump-inducing climax in which her voice swoops and soars like a haunted songbird.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
The cushions haven’t sagged, the corners haven’t weathered despite enduring many bumps, and the navy hue hasn’t faded at all.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 May 2026
Verb
But the guests at the desk bump it into the highlights.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
Drivers trading paint started early as there was bumping coming down the front stretch to take the green flag before Lap 1.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bump
Noun
-
Measles can lead to serious complications and even death by triggering pneumonia or brain swelling.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
This is also linked to a change known as Darier’s sign, which is a common finding in mastocytosis, where rubbing a skin lesion causes redness or swelling.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Word of the demotions came early in the spring semester, but the cuts take effect on July 1.—
Katie Servas,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
But Randle is a prideful player, and a move to the second unit would likely be considered a demotion in his eyes.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
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The court was told that Paul and her 10-month-old son were in one of the seven cars involved in the collision, resulting in the baby sustaining a broken leg, per Toronto Sun and CBC.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Shortly after coming off the bench, James Maddison went down in pain following a collision with Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Howden doubled the lead with a shorthanded goal 7½ minutes later, finding miles of space just to the right of the goal and banging in a pass from Marner that split LaCombe and Alex Killorn.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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On Wednesday evening, Associated Press journalists saw residents in numerous neighborhoods banging pots and pans and setting fire to trash cans to protest the blackouts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Adding the grits to the pot slowly while stirring is key to the dish's creaminess and no lumps.—
Emma Ashe,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
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But if the gland expands or droops, which is common with age, a portion of it can escape those confines, bulging out below the jawbone and appearing as a lump in the neck.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Cohutta Police Department vehicles CBS News Atlanta Town attorney Bryan Rayburn later told the council the firings did not follow the town charter, which requires 30 days' notice before employees can be suspended or removed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
According to the team, the firing shook the control hut as a long stream of flame burst from the copper engine.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
18 May 2026
Noun
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The Yankees need Wells to provide at least some thump in a bottom third of the order that hasn’t been very good.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Moments later, a bass thump sounded in the distance.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The beautiful display of lights results from a form of space weather, according to NASA, when high-energy space particles violently collide with atoms of gas in a planet's atmosphere, close to its magnetic pole.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
16 May 2026
-
The Nissan collided with a Ford F-150 pickup truck that was driving south in the southbound lanes of the highway, the crash log said.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bump. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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