as in tapping
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
absentmindedly drumming his fingers on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of drumming
Chang knows math formulas, but drumming?
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
In Genoa, a school started to offer a course in drumming for people over sixty.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
The ceremony includes chanting, drumming, dancing, and prayers intended to honor the deceased and guide their spirit to the afterlife.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
La Familia kept drumming and chanting through the entire game, determined to help lift Messi and his teammates to victory.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Vocal powerhouse Take 6 returns with its signature blend of gospel, jazz and jaw-dropping harmony, while Cindy Blackman Santana delivers her high-octane drumming on Monday.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 25 Mar. 2026
There will be three stages of performances, a creative zone with more than 30 arts organizations, a storyteller's den, a joy of drumming tent, an instrument petting zoo, and food from area vendors.
—Cary Darling, Houston Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
Schellekens shrieks—set to a hurricane of layered guitars and unhinged drumming.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
Monday night’s game against Italy spotlighted the dancing, drumming and national pride.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
In Genoa, a school started to offer a course in drumming for people over sixty.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
The ceremony includes chanting, drumming, dancing, and prayers intended to honor the deceased and guide their spirit to the afterlife.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
La Familia kept drumming and chanting through the entire game, determined to help lift Messi and his teammates to victory.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Vocal powerhouse Take 6 returns with its signature blend of gospel, jazz and jaw-dropping harmony, while Cindy Blackman Santana delivers her high-octane drumming on Monday.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 25 Mar. 2026
There will be three stages of performances, a creative zone with more than 30 arts organizations, a storyteller's den, a joy of drumming tent, an instrument petting zoo, and food from area vendors.
—Cary Darling, Houston Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
Schellekens shrieks—set to a hurricane of layered guitars and unhinged drumming.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
Monday night’s game against Italy spotlighted the dancing, drumming and national pride.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drumming
Verb
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Meanwhile, capri pants offer the more trend-forward pairing this summer, tapping into the ongoing fascination with early-2000s dressing and proportions.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
17 May 2026
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The viral moment of the banquet, captured on video and rebroadcast endlessly across Weibo, was Lei Jun walking up to a seated Musk, tapping him on the shoulder, and crouching half-down to take a selfie with him on a Xiaomi 17 Pro.—
Drew Bernstein,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Drumming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drumming. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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