bulge 1 of 2

Definition of bulgenext
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bulge

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verb

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as in to burst
to be copiously supplied this guidebook to San Francisco positively bulges with useful information

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 bulge
Noun
The tree is resting on wires as the root of the tree bulges up from the ground along William Penn Highway, a major roadway in the county. Mamie Bah, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 The Arab Spring uprisings of 2011-12 owe much of their origin to a youth bulge in the Middle East. John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Rather than use a standard shopping basket or bag, the man’s backpack appeared to be bulging at the seams — its straps straining under the weight of unidentified and clearly heavy cargo. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026 But a fair number of Mudryk’s attempts end up bulging the roof of the net with power and precision, and very few are saved. Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge
Noun
  • An unnoticed protrusion on the floor she’s dragged across renders her injury considerably worse, turning temporary acute discomfort into a real medical emergency.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Another cutesy promo video shows the robot phone coming to life, flipping out of a protrusion next to the usual camera bump in the back of the device, and even meeting a humanoid robot face-to-face.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Turn back the tape just a few weeks ago, to when the Five Stripes relinquished a 1-0 advantage in the final stretch to lose at home 2-1.
    Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 10 May 2026
  • Blackwood made the initial stop, but Faber was there at the edge of the crease and the puck went off the Minnesota defenseman’s body and into the net to restore the three-goal advantage.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Her fangs protrude, her nails lengthen.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
  • Hemorrhoids are common and treatable, but bleeding, severe pain, lingering symptoms, or protruding hemorrhoids should be checked by a doctor.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • All of this only adds to conviction in AI, but also has some investors with long memories likening the current period to the late 1990s when the stock market boomed thanks to internet investment before the bubble eventually burst in 2000.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 8 May 2026
  • Skin is elastic enough to permit significant expansion with bursting.
    Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • At the top of the team scoring projections and the timing board, the CIF Southern Section Division 1 swimming championships looked familiar at several spots on Saturday.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
  • The resort unveils new and updated features every year—in 2026, look for Aquavia Lumina, a nighttime walk through a canyon with lights, projections, and music that immerses you in a story world.
    Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • The outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship moored off the western coast of Africa is gripping a world primed by recent painful experience to be on edge for the next Covid-19-like event.
    Helen Branswell, STAT, 7 May 2026
  • But there’s a significant difference in setting the edge on the college level and doing it in the NFL, where the offensive tackles and tight ends are usually bigger and stronger.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • When Andrei Vasilevskiy tried to poke the puck away, Bolduc had moved so deep into the crease area that the puck went off him and into the net for his first career playoff goal.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The host also poked fun at the Trumps’ living separately despite being married for 22 years.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At the time of his murder, Mizell was in a lounge on the studio’s second floor with another man when two men were buzzed in.
    Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
  • TopicsVogue Parties The Met Gala buzz starts now.
    Aaron Royce, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulge. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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