Synonyms of bulge

bulge 1 of 2

noun

1

as in protrusion

a part that sticks out from the general mass of something

several bulges in the old vinyl flooring in the dingy bathroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protrusion
• projection
• swell
• protuberance
• dome
• section
• overhang
• convexity
• portion
• expansion
• swelling
• piece
• jut
• knot
• block
• knob
• lump
• bunch
• bump
• mound
• dilatation
• puff
• hump
• nub
• snag
• hill
• blob
• increase
• enlargement
• escalation
• knurl
• gibbosity
• obtrusion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cavity
• depression
• pit
• hole
• recess
• dent
• hollow
• indentation
• valley
• crater
• well
• basin
• concave
• bowl
• concavity
• dip
• indenture
• pocket
• trench
• groove
• dint
• impression
• indent
• trough
• furrow
• notch
• dimple
• gouge

2

as in advantage

the more favorable condition or position in a competition

she got the bulge on him in the race for the statehouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• advantage
• edge
• odds
• pull
• opportunity
• jump
• drop
• vantage
• upper hand
• margin
• stead
• high ground
• better
• whip hand
• coign of vantage
• start
• inside track
• superiority
• lead
• dominance
• privilege
• allowance
• catbird seat
• predominance
• ascendency
• ascendancy
• head start
• benefit
• supremacy
• leg up
• transcendence
• foothold
• prerogative
• mastery
• windfall
• preference
• precedence
• transcendency
• seniority
• command
• godsend
• break
• blessing
• manna
• boon
• felicity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disadvantage
• liability
• strike
• penalty
• drawback
• handicap
• minus
• imbalance
• disparity
• detriment
• inequality
• disability
• impairment
• failing
• let
• interference
• stranglehold
• shortcoming
• embarrassment
• obstruction
• obstacle
• bar
• rub
• impediment
• unevenness
• stop
• check
• hindrance
• catch
• hitch
• hurdle
• setback
• crimp
• clog
• lurch
• shackle
• trammel
• manacle

bulge

2 of 2

verb

ˈbəlj 

1

as in to protrude

to extend outward beyond a usual point

the sides of the returning camper's suitcase bulged with a month's worth of dirty laundry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protrude
• poke
• swell
• overhang
• pouch
• stand out
• jut
• balloon
• beetle
• pout
• stick out
• project
• bunch
• belly
• billow
• dome
• pooch
• start
• bag
• stretch
• extend
• lengthen
• inflate
• distend
• elongate
• dilate
• expand
• mushroom
• blow up
• snowball

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shrink
• contract
• compress
• condense
• constrict

2

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied

this guidebook to San Francisco positively bulges with useful information

Synonyms & Similar Words

• burst
• buzz
• brim
• hum
• teem
• overflow
• swarm
• bristle
• crawl
• abound
• bustle
• pullulate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• need
• want
• lack

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bulge different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of bulge are projection, protrusion, and protuberance. While all these words mean "an extension beyond the normal line or surface," bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure.

bulges in the tile floor

When is projection a more appropriate choice than bulge?

The synonyms projection and bulge are sometimes interchangeable, but projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle.

those projections along the wall are safety hazards

Where would protrusion be a reasonable alternative to bulge?

While in some cases nearly identical to bulge, protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity.

the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

When would protuberance be a good substitute for bulge?

The meanings of protuberance and bulge largely overlap; however, protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form.

a skin disease marked by warty protuberances

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bulge

Noun

The pull-on pants are also high-waisted, which will smooth out the stomach area more so than low-rise bottoms or too-tight denim shorts that make your skin bulge. —Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 26 June 2025

Berger’s tiny stage bulges like a clown car, stuffed with superb comedians such as Russell Daniels, playing a prospective son-in-law (and Grade A idiot) who shrieks around sick people, and Sarah Stiles, as a pert soubrette. —Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 6 June 2025

Verb

If the surface bulges outward at that point, then the flow moves inward. —Quanta Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

Photos posted online showed the snake arrived at a Virginia animal hospital with a bulging body. —Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025