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
Relevance
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
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
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 June 2025
As a result, 56 percent of young men supported Trump in 2024, a significant bump for the president in that demographic — in 2020, 41 percent supported the president, according to an analysis of Associated Press exit polls.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 5 June 2025
New Atlas, 5 June 2025
In the 19th century, experts assumed that the particles that make up gases or liquids would also move like small balls through empty space, bumping into one another from time to time and following Newton’s laws of motion, just like the aforementioned billiard balls.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bump
Noun
Cyrus continued her side part stint, teasing her dark brown roots up and over to create an Elvis-esque bump in the front with only a single curl touching her forehead.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 June 2025
As a result, 56 percent of young men supported Trump in 2024, a significant bump for the president in that demographic — in 2020, 41 percent supported the president, according to an analysis of Associated Press exit polls.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Verb
Big-screen gamers can look forward to a 240-Hz refresh rate (when the resolution is bumped down to Full HD), an auto latency mode that can get input lag down to 12 milliseconds, and motion compensation technology.
—New Atlas, 5 June 2025
In the 19th century, experts assumed that the particles that make up gases or liquids would also move like small balls through empty space, bumping into one another from time to time and following Newton’s laws of motion, just like the aforementioned billiard balls.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bump
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bump
Noun
-
Salicylic acid: This type of acid helps reduce swelling and redness related to acne.—
Laura Schober,
Health,
2 June 2025
-
Post-vasectomy complications are rare but possible and include minor bruising, swelling and temporary discomfort around the area where the procedure was done.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
There have already been several aviation tragedies and incidents this year — including January’s midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet — that have prompted calls to increase safety measures.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
13 June 2025
-
The motorcyclist suffered major injuries in the collision and was taken to an area hospital.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
There's no point in banging your head against the wall.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Even after being handcuffed, the passenger continued to behave aggressively, repeatedly banging her head against the bus window.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
Coastal friends, start with fresh jumbo lump crabmeat.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
26 May 2025
-
Key Takeaways Warts form a hard lump, while skin tags are soft and often on a stalk.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Immigration advocates now say the Trump administration's hiring and firing decisions could threaten the crucial neutrality of the administrative courts.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
6 June 2025
-
The firings and slashed funding impacted organizations like Sacramento’s Improve Your Tomorrow, which mentors young men of color and prepares them for higher education and joining the workforce.—
Molly Gibbs,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
The Cardinals have enough right-handed thump (especially with Herrera) to utilize Burleson at his strength.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.—
Christopher Rosa,
Glamour,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
That’s where, just after 1 p.m. on Sunday, police say Mikey’s bike collided with a pickup truck.—
Lila Hempel-Edgers,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2025
-
In 2001, a U.S. intelligence plane and a Chinese fighter jet collided near China, killing a Chinese pilot.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
Doctors at the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital said the girl had signs of abuse — including she was covered in bruises, had two black eyes, scratches and abdominal trauma.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
-
Jurors saw a photo of the bruise as well as other photos of her bandaged back.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bump.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bump. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share