as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the curtains in the open windows billowed in the summer wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of billow
Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
The claim: Image shows bus crash that killed at least 135 people in December 2024
A Dec. 10 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows vehicles parked in a grassy field and billows of smoke and fire rising in the distance.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 8 May 2025
Various local news sources in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are reporting that an explosion has left smoke billowing from a local oil refinery.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for billow
Noun
Images from the scene show Lancaster Township Fire Department surrounding the two-story house as smoke billows from the roof, firefighters swarming the inside and outside of the structure.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
The claim: Image shows bus crash that killed at least 135 people in December 2024
A Dec. 10 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows vehicles parked in a grassy field and billows of smoke and fire rising in the distance.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
White smoke billowed from the Vatican on Thursday afternoon to denote that the conclave of Cardinals had chosen a new pope.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 8 May 2025
Various local news sources in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are reporting that an explosion has left smoke billowing from a local oil refinery.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for billow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
Noun
-
However, the Trump administration's executive orders, which target federal funding for DEI programs, have caused a wave of uncertainty for nonprofit organizations that provide essential services to underrepresented groups.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
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Furthermore, the adoption of millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum (FR2), which offers higher bandwidth and throughput, can significantly enhance satellite communications.—
Iri Trashanki,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
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But in May 2023, while out for a run, the New Hampshire native noticed something strange: a large bump protruding from her abdomen.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
2 May 2025
-
The actor shared memories of the time his balls unwittingly protruded out of his boxer briefs during an off-Broadway production, on the latest episode of the SmartLess podcast.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The big hair matched his baritone and broad shoulders, the kind that come from years of scratching over 10- and 20-foot swells.—
Ryan Knighton,
AFAR Media,
12 May 2025
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The locals sure aren't, with an increasing number of surfers finally catching on to the islands' stellar swells.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2025
Verb
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During that same April 5 episode, Weekend Update’s Colin Jost poked fun at the singer in a bit about the economy.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
12 May 2025
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The contest did not last long as Edwards poked Muhammad in the eye 18 seconds into the second round.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
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No deals have been reached with America’s largest trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and China, which is the single biggest contributor to the bulging U.S. trade deficit that Trump calls a rip-off for the American people.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2025
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Movies don't get more manly than Predator, which is positively brimming with bulging muscles, oneupmanship, relentless s— talk, chainguns, and some of Schwarzenegger's silliest one-liners since Commando.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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