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
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Recent Examples of bulges
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2026
Scientists usually expect the central bulges of elliptical galaxies to form rapidly and thus be dominated by low-mass stars.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Apr. 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
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
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
Scientists usually expect the central bulges of elliptical galaxies to form rapidly and thus be dominated by low-mass stars.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Apr. 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
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
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 dilemma gained more urgency when new projections this month showed that the Social Security trust fund will run out of money sooner than previously thought, meaning benefits would face a 22% cut by 2032 unless adjustments are enacted.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 June 2026
-
Foreigners make up nearly 28% of the total, which official projections forecast will reach 10 million by the early 2040s.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Make sure to weigh the edges of the covering down to the ground.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Like the smaller foldable, the camera module protrudes quite a lot from the back of the phone.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 Dec. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
Later, as the film plays, the crowd bursts intermittently into laughter, cracking up at the clown-car quality of everyone piling into the van for the first time.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 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
-
But the collision of townhouses and tower, balconies and bays — all those protrusions veering in different directions — recapitulate the whole trajectory of New York living and resemble a cartoonist’s rendering of the city’s chaotic jangle.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One of Los Angeles’ major advantages was the existing infrastructure, including stadiums (the Coliseum, Rose Bowl and SoFi) and major arenas (Crypto, Kia Forum and Intuit), not to mention that the city had already hosted two previous Olympics, both of which were considered financial successes.—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Springsteen opened up about the emotional advantages of being in a relationship with someone in the same field as her, especially when the sport requires intense mental focus.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The closing scene of the trailer pokes fun at the Grammy-winning singer's dancing prowess.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The neck of his daughter's guitar pokes out above chunks of concrete.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The machine quietly buzzes and whizzes next to baristas who pull espresso shots.—
Jenna Thompson
June 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
-
The once-ordinary yard now buzzes with birds, bees and curious neighbors.—
Lisa Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bulges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulges. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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