billowing 1 of 2

adjective

as in rolling

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billowing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of billow
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

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 billowing
Adjective
The reality star wore a billowing tie-dye gown complete with three-dimensional ruffles. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Verb
The fog rises from Mount Tamalpais like a spirit, slowly billowing over spears of feathery redwoods and fluffs of fragrant bay laurels. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 The restaurant has been closed since March after a fire that sent smoke billowing through the pedway. — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 Pan puri shots come with billowing smoke, and lamb chops are dusted in 24-karat gold. — Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 The large blaze and billowing smoke led to the evacuation of more than 1,200 people in the small Central Coast community. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 Kate’s billowing gown featured long sleeves and a plunging neckline. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 23 Sep. 2026 The more intimate spaces in the apartment are paneled in the same heavy black raw silk that was once used for a Dolce & Gabbana opera coat; even the windows are curtained in billowing drifts of black silk chiffon. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026 Architect Ma Yansong's big, billowing building almost seems to hover around and envelop the surrounding structures, including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 In moments, the two cars are careening along an autocross course amidst a backdrop of billowing smoke—a cacophony of screaming engines and tires accompanies as soundtrack to the precise automotive choreography. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billowing
  1. rolling
  2. protruding
  3. surging
  4. poking
  5. swelling
  6. bulging
  7. wavy
Adjective
  • Cash should be separated by assignment, and decisions should be based on a rolling forecast, not the current bank balance.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • So the Alite is essentially a rolling aluminum wilderness hut, perfect for getting a peaceful night of sleep inside four walls.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of rolling
Verb
  • As has the part where Reacher uses his left paw with two nails protruding from the palm as a makeshift Wolverine/Freddy Krueger stabbin’ hand.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • For the hunters, a massive grey orb with a ramp protruding from it is one clue.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of protruding
Adjective
  • The move highlights how surging demand for AI computing capacity is drawing institutional investors, as governments, companies and startups race to build out data centers to support AI workloads.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of surging
Verb
  • Sometimes only the tips of the reeds and the seed heads were visible, poking above the murky water, and other times the reeds stood fully exposed, with a clear view of crabs clambering around their bases.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Video posted to social media showed one car nearly submerged, with just its sunroof poking above the water, as people moved other vehicles farther from the rising tides.
    — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of poking
Adjective
  • The hope was this would mean less swelling, less pain and, potentially, a significantly faster recovery.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Another effective anti-swelling remedy is a delicious snack that may be hiding in the fridge.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of swelling
Verb
  • Check for dented seams and bulging lids, which can point to food safety issues, recommends Morawetz.
    — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Her bulging eyes, her piercing shrieks, her casual yet immaculately articulate cruelty all come together to form a cartoonish villain who’s also a commanding delight.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of bulging
Adjective
  • Like the wavy structures of a coral reef, layered deposits in the Arabia Terra region of Mars showcase the planet's strange beauty and even stranger past.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Mailaender used different types of mirrors, geometric wall patterns, colored cork and linoleum, wavy steel and deliberately 1980s-style locker-room doors.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of wavy

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Cite this Entry

“Billowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billowing. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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