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
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
Authentic and proud cultural celebrations, luaus are uniquely entertaining and, at times, simply mesmerizing with Polynesian dancing and drumming as well as chants, songs and stories about ancient traditions, legends and epic Pacific Ocean migrations.
—Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
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
Authentic and proud cultural celebrations, luaus are uniquely entertaining and, at times, simply mesmerizing with Polynesian dancing and drumming as well as chants, songs and stories about ancient traditions, legends and epic Pacific Ocean migrations.
—Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drumming
Verb
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These days, some innovative school districts and nonprofit groups are trying to help students labeled EBD by tapping Medicaid money for therapy and family support, providing what are called wraparound services to get students with EBD back into mainstream classes.—
Laurie Stern,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2026
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Our interface makes intelligent use of swipes and gestures rather than tapping or dialing.—
David Szondy
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jurors then heard sounds of banging and choking — and Athena screaming and crying, the Star-Telegram reports.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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On the night he was arrested, Martinez confessed to shaking Heather and banging her head against a crib, but later recanted that confession.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drumming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drumming. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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