bulk up

verb

bulked up; bulking up; bulks up
Synonyms of bulk upnext

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.
Since then, Schlittler has bulked up, increased his velocity, cemented himself in Yankees postseason lore, and turned into the nastiest pitcher in a rotation that also features Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026 Peloton is bulking up its treadmill lineup with three new machines, including a foldable model that takes up less floor space and won't hurt your wallet as much as the others. — Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 Ellison argues Paramount needs to bulk up to compete against digital titans Netflix, Amazon and Apple, as well as Disney. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026 Things like sewer line backup, service line damage and equipment breakdown coverage all bulk up the price of your policy. — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026 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 30 Sep. 2026.

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