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
Why Nations Care About Longevity Japan’s aging costs, Europe’s silver wave, China’s shrinking workforce, America’s senior tipping point, and Saudi Arabia’s youth bulge all explain why longevity has moved from science experiment to state strategy. Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Nonic or English pint glasses are of a similar shape but with a bulge an inch or so from the top. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
To be a real man, according to this content, young adolescent boys are expected to be tall and broad-shouldered with bulging biceps, pronounced trapezius muscles, and washboard abs. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025 But now, as the result of hours spent training in the gym, Draper boasts an imposing frame with biceps visibly bulging from underneath his t-shirt. Ben Church, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge
Noun
  • Karst formations, a porous rock, stick out as jagged protrusions in between lush forest and provide plenty of places for small creatures to hide.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
  • As per the press release, these included small, circular protrusions or bumps, elliptical protrusions with a fingerprint-like pattern, and a third set of large, round marks.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Securing the Shield ensures the top seed for Philly and home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs for a team that has quietly gone about a consistent season without grabbing much in the way of attention.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • For today’s leaders, this means approaching every critical business decision with a mindset that considers how AI can deliver a competitive advantage.
    Derya Matras, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In aircraft design, various components can protrude from the plane’s body and disrupt this smooth airflow, introducing turbulence and increasing drag.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Deputy Thomas Zajac, first on the scene, found Heskett kneeling in the grass near the park’s Old Mill Trail, grasping a pocketknife protruding from his abdomen.
    Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • One of the most famous bubbles that burst was the 2000 dotcom crash where the value of internet companies plummeted.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Related Stories His latest is a blunt cinematic instrument — loud, loaded and bursting with carnage and ideological angst.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That type of context won’t be explicitly included in a projection like this.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • How reliable are long-term population projections, and what are the main uncertainties that could change the outlook?
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That meant Hufanga spent a good chunk of the offseason not just learning a new system, but getting poked and prodded by his new coaches and running mate Jones.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The star compares calling out the sketch, which poked fun at her accent and teeth, to confronting a bully.
    Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That rare Broadway cameo set the stage for an unforgettable weekend and gave fans a reason to buzz long before curtain call.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The buzzing arena features a plethora of food options, but Pop’s Patties and Coco Bred always grab her attention.
    Marc Williams, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulge. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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