Definitions

pumping

[puhm-ping] / ˈpʌm pɪŋ /

VERB

draw or push out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

drain draw inject pour push send siphon supply tap

STRONG

dilate distend draft drive elevate empty force inflate swell

WEAK

bail out blow up draw off drive out force out

Antonyms

STRONG

compress contract deflate lessen shrink

WEAK

answer reply

VERB

question relentlessly

Synonyms

STRONG

grill interrogate probe query question quiz

WEAK

cross-examine draw out give the third degree worm out of

Antonyms

STRONG

answer reply

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Pumping was discontinued, but the pipeline continued to transport smaller quantities of oil until 1990.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Concrete Pumping Holdings, which offers concrete pumping services and waste management, is passing higher fuel prices on to customers through surcharges.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Pumping operations to supply water “continue to have severe impacts to native fish species, and this year is no exception,” said Ashley Overhouse, water policy advisor for the group Defenders of Wildlife.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2025

"Pumping air into the chamber introduces energy into the system," says Haitao Qing, first author of the paper and a Ph.D. student at NC State.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2024

Pumping my arms and legs as fast as I could, I followed the car all the way down to the corner.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall