hulking

1 of 2

adjective

hulk·​ing ˈhəl-kiŋ 

: ponderous, massive

a hulking wrestler

hulking

2 of 2

present participle of hulk entry 2

Synonyms of hulking

Adjective

• large
• sizable
• substantial
• considerable
• oversize
• big
• handsome
• huge
• colossal

Examples of hulking in a Sentence

Adjective

A hulking figure appeared in the doorway.

a heavy, hulking stone blocked the way

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Its skyline is dominated by towering smokestacks, hulking arrays of metal tubes and bright flames erupting from flares at petrochemical plants in the global plastics supply chain. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Armed with just two open-reel videotapes, Goodman lugged his hulking camera and tripod behind percussionist Juma Sultan and began to document Hendrix’s historic set just 15 feet away from the musician. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

Beijing/Hong Kong — Ice was still heavy on the water when the hulking Christophe de Margerie tanker set off on the first journey of the season along the Northern Sea Route in late May. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Anthony is a hulking, bald man with pale skin and even paler eyes, and he was dressed in an island-print tropical shirt. — George Francis Lee, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1698, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hulking

• bulking
• skulking
• sulking