THUMPING Synonyms: 341 Similar and Opposite Words

thumping 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of thumping

as in extremely

to a great degree wrote several thumping big books on World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

thumping

2 of 3

noun

as in pounding

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

thumping

3 of 3

verb

present participle of thump

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

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

Down there in the air the buzz of the vacuum cleaner on carpets and the thumping of carpets against the walls. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 The rain disappeared, and even the thumping of other Throttle concerts elsewhere on their 600-acre grounds seemed to fade. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 16 Aug. 2026 The erratic thumping of moths doomed by the siren-pull of the kitchen light. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 The faint thumping of bass music and people talking could be heard from the street. — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 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 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

Verb

Hvar banned its circuit of thumping DJ parties in 2024 in an effort to rebrand itself, but August’s high tourist season in Hvar Town still draws heavy crowds. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 Use the thumping method to check if your watermelon is ripe before purchase. — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026 In a long oval at the center of the grounds, women in jingle dresses moved across the grass with light, quick steps to the sound of a steady, thumping drum. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Spinning heart-thumping electronic beats and Latin house rhythms, RØZ has taken the stage at many a popular event, such as the most recent Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Lollapalooza Chicago, Hard Summer, EDC Las Vegas and Sueños. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Ben Green’s thumping bass leads to huffy breathing, which leads to bone-snapping drum machine rhythms and an ectoplasmic elastic guitar riff. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026 Then there’s perdiz, which are upland birds that thrive in grassy habitats around agricultural fields and flush quickly enough to get any bird hunter’s heart thumping. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026 The Soundcore P25i earbuds give you thumping bass and rich audio detail for less than the cost of a textbook. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026 From Andy Grammer’s feet-thumping anthems to the traditional dance of the Irish rolling hills, this year’s Harris Center for the Arts lineup is sure to entertain. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumping

Adverb

This pre-seasoned, ¼ inch thick steel heat extremely evenly with minimal disparity between the center and edges.

— Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Search for jet quenching Previous experiments suggest that a millionth of a second after the Big Bang, even as temperatures remained extremely high, matter did not behave like gas but instead like liquid with very low viscosity.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 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

At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Already, Skubal’s joining in on pregame handshake lines and slapping the dugout railing in time to Roki Sasaki’s warm-up music.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slapping

Verb

One act featured two young women sitting on the stage and licking orange Popsicles (yes, that was the whole act).

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Owners should also watch for licking that is sudden, persistent or severe enough to cause hair loss or skin damage.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of licking

Adverb

The Fed chairman, who took office in May for a four-year term, has so far shared very little commentary on the state of the economy or policy outlook.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
With Adults, being funny is what matters most, and in that regard, this is a very promising premiere.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of very

Noun

In the thrashing that was Brighton vs Aston Villa, John McGinn goes in for what appears to be a rough tackle on Ibrahim Osman in the penalty area in the 80th minute.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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

Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of smacking

Verb

Vinicius Jr started each of Brazil’s five matches at the World Cup and played a starring role in the group stage, lashing in an excellent goal against Morocco, scoring and assisting against Haiti, and adding a brace against Scotland.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Lala weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm Sunday after lashing the state without making landfall.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of lashing

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“Thumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumping. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of thumping

adverb

noun

verb

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