as in protruded
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the curtains in the open windows billowed in the summer wind
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Recent Examples of billowed
Black smoke billowed from an industrial area in the business and tourism hub of Dubai, after a blaze that authorities said was sparked by debris from an interception.
—
Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
In the minutes after the attack, smoke billowed from the synagogue.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Huge booms were heard across the capital and large black smoke billowed from the Dahieh neighborhood in south Beirut, while an attack in central Beirut – where thousands of people are displaced – killed 8 people and injured 31, according to Lebanese officials.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 12 Mar. 2026
Smoke billowed from the roof as FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the scene involved both a vehicle ramming and active shooter situation.
—Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
After fuel depots were hit last week, including in Tehran, thick plumes of black smoke billowed into the air, mixing with precipitation in the air to create toxic rain.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Smoke billowed from several fires that were burning on the boat.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Apartment buildings were felled by air strikes, and smoke billowed from the blasts; the buzz of Israeli drones filled the air.
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
As seen on video from the scene, traffic crawled along the expressway as smoke billowed from the cars and firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
In the minutes after the attack, smoke billowed from the synagogue.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Huge booms were heard across the capital and large black smoke billowed from the Dahieh neighborhood in south Beirut, while an attack in central Beirut – where thousands of people are displaced – killed 8 people and injured 31, according to Lebanese officials.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 12 Mar. 2026
Smoke billowed from the roof as FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the scene involved both a vehicle ramming and active shooter situation.
—Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
After fuel depots were hit last week, including in Tehran, thick plumes of black smoke billowed into the air, mixing with precipitation in the air to create toxic rain.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Smoke billowed from several fires that were burning on the boat.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Apartment buildings were felled by air strikes, and smoke billowed from the blasts; the buzz of Israeli drones filled the air.
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
As seen on video from the scene, traffic crawled along the expressway as smoke billowed from the cars and firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billowed
Verb
-
Big, waxy flowers called lobster claws protruded from thick stalks.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
However, blood was pouring out of Good’s left ear immediately after the shooting, and tissue protruded from the left side of her head, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported last week.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Since then, the president has repeatedly poked at the vulnerability.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Many spectators poked fun at the efforts of Chicago police to confiscate and collect BORGs in viral posts over the weekend.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Angelenos’ eyes bulged at the $1,500-a-head price tag.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Taking new measurements, the researchers saw that as fluid gushed between cells, creating indentations in their cell membranes, bubbles mostly bulged into weaker cells.—
Clare Watson,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Billowed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billowed. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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