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pullulate

verb

ˈpəl-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce pullulate (audio)
Definition of pullulatenext
as in to burst
to be copiously supplied a tough city neighborhood that has a reputation for pullulating with prostitutes and petty criminals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pullulate
  1. burst
  2. buzz
  3. bulge
Verb
  • Bake for 25 minutes, until the tomatoes have burst and the gnocchi have a slight crisp.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • After dealing only in renderings the last time around, the real, live Nugget Schmiede roof burst to life at the recent Düsseldorf Caravan Salon.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of burst
Verb
  • With sport fields and courts, playgrounds, a community center, pool, splash pad, and more, the spot is always buzzing with activity.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Likewise, Mississippi State’s surprisingly smooth run through three games — led by breakout quarterback Kamario Taylor — had Starkville buzzing before Missouri landed in the state.
    — PJ Green September 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of buzz
Verb
  • Check for dented seams and bulging lids, which can point to food safety issues, recommends Morawetz.
    — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Her bulging eyes, her piercing shrieks, her casual yet immaculately articulate cruelty all come together to form a cartoonish villain who’s also a commanding delight.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of bulge
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.

Browse Nearby Words

pull together
pullulate
pullulated
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Cite this Entry

“Pullulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pullulate. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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