bulge 1 of 2

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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 handle had a gentle palm swell (a little bulge) that was very comfortable to hold. Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2025 Then there are tests for shape aesthetics that involve bow tie evaluation, outline symmetry, and bulges. Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Verb
Robert Mapplethorpe was partial to bulging muscles wrapped in leather. Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025 Even as dome construction bulged on the Italian peninsula from the eleventh to fifteen centuries, Romans held off on joining the building bandwagon until the late 1400s. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge
Noun
  • Hernias are protrusions of internal organs through the muscle wall that may require surgery for repair.
    Cristina Mutchler, Health, 18 July 2025
  • Folks with acute back pain, disc issues (include herniations, bulgings, and protrusions), and hip labrum injuries, should check with a medical pro first before doing this move, Dr. Yu says.
    Jenny McCoy, SELF, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Do rules reflect actual AI usage patterns among teens? Equity Access: Can all students access the same AI tools, or do policies create advantages for families with premium subscriptions?
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Injuries prompted the 49ers to start a patchwork defensive front, and Geno Smith took advantage from the jump with a play-action pass that found Brock Bowers for a 28-yard gain down the right sideline against safety Ji’Ayir Brown.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Tung’s front layers were slicked across the right side of her forehead and brushed behind her ear; her short ends protruded out underneath.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 July 2025
  • In person the tremendous symmetry of her face was startling; her cheekbones protruded, and her eyes were far apart.
    Darcey Steinke, Vogue, 27 July 2025
Verb
  • Perabo burst onto the scene as wannabe singer Violet Sanford, who moves from New Jersey to N.Y.C. to pursue her dreams — and ends up joining the Coyote Ugly crew.
    Kate Hogan, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Berries—and raspberries in particular—are another food that’s bursting with fiber.
    Audrey Bruno, SELF, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Their own intimacy defines the relationship, not the projections online.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Personal loyalty is one aspect of Yermak’s character and power projection that all officials who spoke to Fox News Digital confirmed was most important.
    Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • From steamy dim sum in bustling teahouses to rooftop bars overlooking glittering skylines—the city blends ancient soul with modern edge.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Wilson’s experience gives him the edge on the No. 2 role, but Ewers, a 2025 seventh-round pick, has been one of camp’s pleasant surprises, and that should earn the former Texas starter a spot on the 53-man roster.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The premiere episode was a hot topic not only among viewership and the media but within the White House as Parker and Stone brutally poked fun at President Donald Trump in both animated and live-action deepfake form.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • One video captured by beachgoers Annie Kremer and Connor Pelt and shared on TikTok shows the animals coming within feet of people standing in the sand, and the shark's fins poking out above the water as the massive stingray juts into view.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Alternately — extending this metaphor another way — talking to him while activity at Kojima Productions buzzes in the background over a video interview suggests having a peek inside a spy agency.
    Nick Newman, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The new shoes have an early discount that brings their price down to as little as $50, and they’re already getting buzz from shoppers.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulge. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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