as in rolling
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Dissimilar Words
as in protruding
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 billowing
Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
Video shows billowing smoke coming from the roof, and flames are engulfing the building.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The Mecklenburg County Fire Marshals Office is investigating the cause of a boat fire on Lake Norman Sunday that sent huge plumes of smoke billowing skyward.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
With their escape route blocked by protesters and their cars, the agents tossed out tear-gas canisters, the white clouds billowing up into the winter air.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Images showed flames and smoke billowing out of top-floor windows.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Sparse tendrils of dust give way to billowing ripples of gas, forming myriad fractal structures in which, one day, new worlds may coalesce.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Over the past decade, it's been awe-inspiring to feel the steam vents up close, see smoke billowing miles into the sky, and witness her natural fireworks.
—Sunny Fitzgerald, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
Video footage shared online Wednesday showed a powerful explosion destroying a large building, with gray smoke billowing into the air as people circled below.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
The redone interiors, courtesy of designer Luis Pons, have white-beam ceilings and billowing white curtains with pops of color in the headboards, artwork, and rugs.
—Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
Video shows billowing smoke coming from the roof, and flames are engulfing the building.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The Mecklenburg County Fire Marshals Office is investigating the cause of a boat fire on Lake Norman Sunday that sent huge plumes of smoke billowing skyward.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
With their escape route blocked by protesters and their cars, the agents tossed out tear-gas canisters, the white clouds billowing up into the winter air.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Images showed flames and smoke billowing out of top-floor windows.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Sparse tendrils of dust give way to billowing ripples of gas, forming myriad fractal structures in which, one day, new worlds may coalesce.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Over the past decade, it's been awe-inspiring to feel the steam vents up close, see smoke billowing miles into the sky, and witness her natural fireworks.
—Sunny Fitzgerald, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
Video footage shared online Wednesday showed a powerful explosion destroying a large building, with gray smoke billowing into the air as people circled below.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billowing
Adjective
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Use a rolling pin to softly pound it a few times, breaking it up and softening it along the way.—
Molly Allen,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
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Turn dough out onto a surface and knead lightly to bring together (dough may seem dry but will come together by the end of the rolling process; if dough feels very dry and crumbly add up to 2 Tbsp.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management inspected it and found a pipe protruding from a berm, leaking water where it’s not supposed to go.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
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They’re typically installed above kitchen sinks and provide more light than standard windows, but their protruding design adds weight and insulation considerations.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their second goal came on a play that McLellan still felt postgame should have been overturned for goalie interference, with Dylan Strome seemingly poking a puck out from under Gibson’s glove and scoring on a wraparound.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Spillman seemingly didn’t mind poking fun at her age, hitting the comedic beat again in the November episode that featured the finalists.—
Sandra Gonzalez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Another effective anti-swelling remedy is a delicious snack that may be hiding in the fridge.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The workshop was a leather Pouch, bulging with what a child can win.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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The younger Pearl does not stalk the sideline drenched in sweat, veins bulging from his neck and spittle flying at every questionable call.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This super cute manicure features red, coral, and pink wavy stripes going down the middle of each nail like a winding road, while little white hearts and dots dance down the line.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
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It’s designed with a round neck and a pleated, wavy texture that gives it an elevated look, perfect for dressier itineraries.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Billowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billowing. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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