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
Relevance
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
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 bulges
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
22 June 2026
Inspect hoses every six months for damage like cracks, bulges, or corrosion to avoid leaks or bursts.
—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
15 June 2026
It’s made from a four-way stretch fabric that shapes, smoothes, and minimizes bumps or bulges that may show through your T-shirt.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 May 2026
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
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
These bulges are made from actin, a protein that helps shape the cell, and they weren’t stopped by certain inhibitors, meaning the process may be similar to other cell activities.
—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
12 Dec. 2025
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Galactic bulges tend to be the oldest parts of galaxies, forming billions of years before the disks, at least in the Milky Way's case.
—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
22 June 2026
Inspect hoses every six months for damage like cracks, bulges, or corrosion to avoid leaks or bursts.
—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
15 June 2026
It’s made from a four-way stretch fabric that shapes, smoothes, and minimizes bumps or bulges that may show through your T-shirt.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 May 2026
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
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
These bulges are made from actin, a protein that helps shape the cell, and they weren’t stopped by certain inhibitors, meaning the process may be similar to other cell activities.
—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
12 Dec. 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
-
The projections Gottfredson shared with CNBC are revisions.
-
Other projections estimate the amount could approach $850 million over time as participation grows.
Noun
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.
-
Questlove is too thoughtful a filmmaker to sand down the rough edges.
Verb
-
These are more likely to cause painless rectal bleeding or tissue that protrudes during a bowel movement.
-
Part of it protrudes from the exterior, with natural airflow helping keep the food inside chilled.
Verb
-
Just as the pair were celebrating finally taking Evan off-island for father-son bonding time on the mainland, a knock on the door bursts their bubble.
-
Haaland bursts our bubble almost immediately by scoring in the opening five minutes, and Burnley miss a few good first-half chances, with striker Zian Flemming particularly culpable.
Noun
-
Traditional control surfaces create gaps and protrusions that increase radar cross-section and require constant adjustments in fly-by-wire systems.
-
Officially, these prominent bumper protrusions were inspired by jet-age design and missile imagery.
Noun
-
Those cost advantages, Schackart said, allow Google to charge about 20% to 30% less for excess compute capacity, which is attracting AI unicorns to Google’s offerings, including its cloud business and enterprise services.
-
For example, a 529 plan can offer unmatched tax advantages for education savings, while a custodial brokerage account gives greater flexibility to use funds for major milestones, like a first home or general financial support.
Verb
-
The second is a vent which pokes out above your clothes, to move warm air away from you.
-
Perched on a finger of land that pokes into Lebanon, Metula is usually crowded with tourists this time of year.
Verb
-
Every once in a while, a player buzzes in with an answer that truly catches fans off-guard.
-
So when something goes on in markets that inspires exuberance or fear, my phone buzzes.
Cite this Entry
“Bulges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulges. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
