as in rolling
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as in protruding
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 billowing
Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Large plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the roof of the building.
—Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Venezuela's main port city, which is close to the country's capital Caracas, was struck in the operation in the early hours of Saturday, with video showing fire and smoke billowing as explosions continued to ring in the background.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
Video from the port of La Guaira showed a large explosion, followed by billowing smoke, that occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
—Paul P. Murphy, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2026
Footage shot later showed smoke billowing from the area of the raid and fire trucks racing to the scene.
—Gul Tuysuz, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Not dissimilar from her Baby2Baby Gala look, Markle’s bespoke Balenciaga statement pieces included a white flowing suited look, complete with billowing, wide-leg trousers, a simple button-down and a flowing cape.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
Video taken at the scene, located east of UMass Amherst's main campus, showed heavy flames and billowing smoke as firefighters from several cities attempted to battle the fire.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
The two-minute clip shows the plane slide across the ground, leaving a trail of fire and billowing smoke just outside the auto repair shop.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
Blackpink singer and The White Lotus star exuded sultry sophistication in a black sheer Jacquemus gown with billowing sleeves accented with tassels, along with Intimissimi underpinnings.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Large plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the roof of the building.
—Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Venezuela's main port city, which is close to the country's capital Caracas, was struck in the operation in the early hours of Saturday, with video showing fire and smoke billowing as explosions continued to ring in the background.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
Video from the port of La Guaira showed a large explosion, followed by billowing smoke, that occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
—Paul P. Murphy, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2026
Footage shot later showed smoke billowing from the area of the raid and fire trucks racing to the scene.
—Gul Tuysuz, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Not dissimilar from her Baby2Baby Gala look, Markle’s bespoke Balenciaga statement pieces included a white flowing suited look, complete with billowing, wide-leg trousers, a simple button-down and a flowing cape.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
Video taken at the scene, located east of UMass Amherst's main campus, showed heavy flames and billowing smoke as firefighters from several cities attempted to battle the fire.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
The two-minute clip shows the plane slide across the ground, leaving a trail of fire and billowing smoke just outside the auto repair shop.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billowing
Adjective
-
Tensor frames the platform as a rolling data center, with autonomy as its core function rather than an add-on feature.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
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Those whose water supply comes from private wells and who are located within half a mile of the site of the spill are advised to distill or boil (at a rolling boil for at least one minute) all water for consumption.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Avoid areas of ice with protruding debris like logs or brush.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Most often, she was seen with protruding, sculptural hair, abstract eye shadow, and vibrant lip colors, all in line with her aesthetic at the Mugler 1986 show.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The former child actor dove into his speech by first poking fun at his Home Alone fame.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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In June 2021, Megan posted a birthday tribute to Stellan, poking fun at his lack of an Instagram account in the caption.—
Kelsey Lentz,
PEOPLE,
12 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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With each award earning 25 points (except Drama Picture and Musical/Comedy picture, which are worth 35), OBAA collected another 110 points for its already bulging coffers.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
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According to John Hopkins Medicine, an aneurysm is a weakened or bulging artery wall, and coiling is a procedure used to block blood flow to the aneurysm.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The Australian actor debuted long retro sideburns and long dark wavy hair while telling the real-life story of a Neil Diamond tribute band in Song Sung Blue opposite Kate Hudson last year.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
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Lubeck, who has aquamarine eyes and long, wavy hair, cuts an ethereal figure, like an elven noble.—
Emilia Petrarca,
New Yorker,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Billowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billowing. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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