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
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Three seconds later, the Honda crashes into a parked car with such force its tires fly off the street, the pile of cars lurches forward several feet and snow billows.
—Claire Galofaro, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Sasha paired a billowing yellow blouse with white wide-leg pants, sandals, and oversized sunglasses, as well as a leather tote.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for billow
Noun
Rol has so far counted 148 vehicles burned by the fire, which produced billows of black smoke visible from across metro Denver.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Three seconds later, the Honda crashes into a parked car with such force its tires fly off the street, the pile of cars lurches forward several feet and snow billows.
—Claire Galofaro, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
The flag, next to the University of Kansas’ Lied Center, is designed to look billowing, and represents an invitation of shared culture in Algeria’s World Cup base camp town of Lawrence — what Herd says is like a small Algeria in America’s heartland.
—Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Sasha paired a billowing yellow blouse with white wide-leg pants, sandals, and oversized sunglasses, as well as a leather tote.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for billow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
Noun
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The peak of the heat wave will be centered over Germany Saturday with many cities throughout the country expected to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius).—
Taylor Ward,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
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Early on, news of the casino’s construction caused waves of controversy across Sonoma County — some of which resulted in death threats against Sarris’ life.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Verb
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And while certainly shaken up, the driver and passenger (also test dummies in this case) likely could have walked away without being struck by shattered glass or a protruding antler.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
18 June 2026
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The problem was that many of them protruded from the front of vehicles like miniature medieval weapons.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Forecasters had warned of strong rip currents and large waves generated by a long-period southern swell, conditions that officials say have contributed to a rise in water rescues across the state.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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Coastal areas in Orange and San Diego counties also face elevated surf and strong rip currents through Friday, June 19, thanks to a south swell, according to the NWS San Diego.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Perched on a finger of land that pokes into Lebanon, Metula is usually crowded with tourists this time of year.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
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The second is a vent which pokes out above your clothes, to move warm air away from you.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
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Tiny bulging eyes form long before the animal resembles a shark at all and its future face exists only as clusters of migrating cells, slowly organizing themselves into the structures that will eventually become jaws, cartilage and sensory organs.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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The 20-yard screamer deflected off keeper Luca Zidane’s fingertips and bulged the back of the net.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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