billow 1 of 2

noun

ˈbi-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce billow (audio)
Definition of billownext
as in wave
a moving ridge on the surface of water the great billows created by the ocean storm threatened to swamp the fishing boat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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billow

2 of 2

verb

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

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.
Recent Examples of billow
Noun
Try to score a private cabana and have servers dote on you while curtains billow in the sea breeze. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Smoke billows from a beekeeper's canister, paralyzing the colony just enough to reveal the intricate operation. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Flags representing countries all over the world billowed over 22 tables at the free-to-attend market, plus a produce stand and bar, as customers made their way across the river. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 Shortly afterwards, he was seen walking around church property just before surveillance footage showed smoke start to billow out of the building. — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for billow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
  1. wave
  2. protrude
  3. swell
  4. poke
  5. bulge
Noun
  • Behind the scenes, White House officials have spent months waving Kennedy off his vaccine agenda amid a historic wave of measles infections.
    — Amanda Seitz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Sierra’s decision created waves as Rubenstein had supported an audit of the pension fund and its expenses.
    — Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of wave
Verb
  • Tropical Hibiscus Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), as the name suggests, is native to tropical climates in Asia and produces dramatic, vibrant flowers that can grow up to 6 inches in diameter with protruding stamens.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Akhenaten, who may have been the boy-king’s father, was depicted in artwork as having wide hips and a protruding belly, which stood out from portraits of other Egyptian royalty.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • According to court documents, Manuel Hernandez, the tour boat captain, made a U-turn and a swell swamped the bow, capsizing the boat with 14 people on board.
    — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Even Ava, the most overtly rage-baity of the bunch, took a weeklong break from social media after receiving a swell of hate messages.
    — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of swell
Verb
  • Dike was waiting in the middle to poke it home, giving Orlando a 1-0 lead.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But regardless of any lack of confidence in Hamas’ true intentions, in Mladenov’s faith in the ability to verify weapons decommissioning, or indeed Netanyahu’s own willingness to order any troop withdrawals, why poke Trump so publicly in the eye?
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of poke
Verb
  • As the compressed sides bulge outward under load, the tower’s structural strength drops sharply, frequently triggering sudden buckling or catastrophic collapse.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
  • Okegbe recommends immediately discarding any can that’s bulging, leaking, heavily rusted, or dented.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026
Definition of bulge

Browse Nearby Words

bill of fare
billow
billowed
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Cite this Entry

“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of billow for Spanish Speakers

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