1
as in projections
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in edges
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
she got the bulge on him in the race for the statehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in protrudes
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bulges
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 26 Feb. 2026
Artificially enlarging their crotch area, either by injecting their genitals with engorging chemicals or stuffing their underwear to create bigger bulges, allows the athletes to alter their suit measurements.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
Uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, sidewall bulges or blisters and dents in wheel rims.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The study found that flu viruses need bigger bulges on the cell’s surface to get inside.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 12 Dec. 2025
There are wide back straps that smooth out any bulges, and the cups provide great separation, which is uncommon with many wireless styles.
—Gabriela Garcia, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Air bubbles, cracks and bulges in a tire's sidewall could all warrant a tire change.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Originally designed for line-of-battle engagements, Fusō underwent major refits in the 1930s, gaining improved armor, torpedo bulges, and a speed of roughly 24 knots.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
As the Earth rotates, these bulges move around and keep pointing at the Moon because of its gravitational pull.
—Stephen Dikerby, The Conversation, 15 Sep. 2025
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Some online commenters in areas where it has been deployed also say the system struggles to properly level surfaces after holes are filled, which can lead to speed bump–like bulges.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 26 Feb. 2026
Artificially enlarging their crotch area, either by injecting their genitals with engorging chemicals or stuffing their underwear to create bigger bulges, allows the athletes to alter their suit measurements.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
Uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, sidewall bulges or blisters and dents in wheel rims.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The study found that flu viruses need bigger bulges on the cell’s surface to get inside.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 12 Dec. 2025
There are wide back straps that smooth out any bulges, and the cups provide great separation, which is uncommon with many wireless styles.
—Gabriela Garcia, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Air bubbles, cracks and bulges in a tire's sidewall could all warrant a tire change.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Originally designed for line-of-battle engagements, Fusō underwent major refits in the 1930s, gaining improved armor, torpedo bulges, and a speed of roughly 24 knots.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
As the Earth rotates, these bulges move around and keep pointing at the Moon because of its gravitational pull.
—Stephen Dikerby, The Conversation, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a brain aneurysm is a weakened area in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulges
Noun
-
Universities, search collectives, other organizations and government authorities have developed and implemented AI to investigate missing persons, using techniques including database analysis, forensic identification or age-progression projections.—
Karen Esquivel,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The recent run may have done more than that as the Horned Frogs could see the latest projections move them off the bubble entirely.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Skipping prep can lead to lifting edges or little imperfections that’ll drive you crazy later.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Place the pie on the heated stone or skillet and bake until the edges are set and the center is still slightly jiggly, 40 to 50 minutes.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Baleen is a specialized type of bone that protrudes from the jaws like teeth and is used to filter small critters from the ocean water to feed.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Once a cushioned conduit to the other side, the casket now bursts with the wisdom of a life lived outside the box.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The 10a’s completely flat back is a rarity among smartphones, most of which have substantial protrusions that house their camera optics, causing those devices to wobble when placed on a table.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The female’s back is covered in small protrusions that resemble popped kernels of popcorn, inspiring its genus name Zea, derived from the corn plant.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But why doesn’t this happen more often in German football, given the advantages the country has and offers?—
Philipp Lahm,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Polymer solar cells offer advantages Researchers have also maintained that polymer solar cells offer advantages such as light weight, flexibility, and solution processability, but their practical application has long been limited by insufficient operational stability and performance.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti hired the FTI Consulting Firm, which pokes holes in virtually all of Campbell’s assumptions, including the idea that college sports could replicate NBA and NFL revenues by pooling their games.—
Eddie Pells,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
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The paper pokes holes in virtually all of Campbell’s assumptions, including the idea that college sports could replicate NBA and NFL revenues by pooling their games.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For better and worse, the energy that once belonged to the cineplex now buzzes on our small screens, with all of the industry consequences that that entails.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
When Cana reaches capacity, the dining room buzzes with energy.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bulges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulges. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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