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
Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The change may sound subtle, but the impact is dramatic: more ease of movement, better airflow, and fabric that drapes and billows rather than clings.
—John Vorwald, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Plumes of smoke began to billow from the vehicles, apparently because of the spinning tires, prosecutors said.
—Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for billow
Noun
Smoke billows from the Lyondell Basell Houston refinery in Texas in 2024.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The change may sound subtle, but the impact is dramatic: more ease of movement, better airflow, and fabric that drapes and billows rather than clings.
—John Vorwald, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
The magnetic field arcs above the solar surface into the billowing solar corona, where temperatures reach an extraordinary 20 million degrees Celsius.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Plumes of smoke began to billow from the vehicles, apparently because of the spinning tires, prosecutors said.
—Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for billow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
Noun
-
This wave of joy was seen online, where some claimed his victory as India’s own.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Yet today, rising geopolitical instability and a wave of economic nationalism threaten to disrupt the free flows of energy the system relies on — all at a moment when cheaper, cleaner alternatives are available.—
John Kerry,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
To add to the hilarity, one of the dachshunds appeared to have chewed through a couch cushion and somehow gotten stuck inside it, with its head and legs filmed protruding through the torn fabric.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The early word was that the protruding pair was a customized version of Adidas Adistar Cushion 3 sneakers made specifically for Williams.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The fall and winter offer the best swells of the year, turbocharged by nor’easters and tropical storms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, forecasters said.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Vogue's Anna Wintour playfully poked fun at Rocky's daughter being his namesake in her introduction to the rapper, 37.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Sad and Beautiful World finds Mavis, 86, exploring, rediscovering, and poking holes at her lifetime of righteous optimism.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Swain agreed and boarded the red-eye to Heathrow toting a bulging roller suitcase packed full of financials.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
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Suddenly 10 more heads surfaced, every bulging eye on us.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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