bulk up

verb

bulked up; bulking up; bulks up

intransitive verb

: to gain weight especially by becoming more muscular

transitive verb

: to cause to bulk up

Examples of bulk up in a Sentence

she bulked up her hair with one hand as she reached for the shears with the other
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
During the pandemic, many large companies bulked up their software development and IT departments. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025 Consolidation is one recourse for Europe's cash-flush lenders to bulk up their scale and compete with Wall Street's historically more lucrative banking giants. Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025 His only ambition seems to be wanting to bulk up, like the bodybuilders in fitness magazines. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 Younie added one interception and two sacks, then hit the weights hard in the offseason, bulking up his 6-foot, 205-pound frame. Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulk up

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulk up was in 1979

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bulk up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulk%20up. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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