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
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 for a hike now appear to be a response to inflation that has surged since the start of the Iran war and three months of solid job growth.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
-
Still, long-term projections for young families are bleak.—
Tom Deignan,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
These are more likely to cause painless rectal bleeding or tissue that protrudes during a bowel movement.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Part of it protrudes from the exterior, with natural airflow helping keep the food inside chilled.—
Adam Williams
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
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.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
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.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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
-
Comparatively long engagement range One of the Hornet Block 1’s key advantages is its comparatively long engagement range, reported to exceed 75 kilometers.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
-
The 2026 edition is unique because those advantages have effectively been shared among three teams as this is the first time in World Cup history one tournament has been played in three countries.—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Cloudy and rainy conditions prevail throughout the morning, then in the afternoon the sun pokes through with calm winds.—
Kendrick Calfee
June 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
In it, Grace can be seen playing a racing game while the Mallrats creator pokes fun at her driving skills.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Every point results in cheers and car horns– and on the eve of their past three wins, the city buzzes with a passion that’s simply irresistible, even for the bandwagon fans.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
The machine quietly buzzes and whizzes next to baristas who pull espresso shots.—
Jenna Thompson
June 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bulges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulges. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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