bulging 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of bulgingnext
1
as in swollen

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2
as in bursting

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Dissimilar Words

bulging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bulge
1
as in protruding
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
2
as in buzzing
to be copiously supplied this guidebook to San Francisco positively bulges with useful information

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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 bulging
Adjective
Particularly, the bulging transition from the more upright trapezoidal lower section of the grille to the hood throws us off. — Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 9 Sep. 2022 And the big, bulging, muscles that let Hulk SMASH so effectively aren't the same as carrying a lot of excess fat. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 Dec. 2021
Verb
Okegbe recommends immediately discarding any can that’s bulging, leaking, heavily rusted, or dented. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026 An aneurysm is a weakened or bulging artery wall, and coiling is a procedure used to block blood flow to the aneurysm, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bulging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulging
  1. swollen
  2. brimming
  3. protruding
  4. bursting
  5. protuberant
  6. filled
  7. poking
  8. buzzing
Adjective
  • Historical records indicate that dikes were deliberately breached during a military conflict, allowing the swollen Yellow River to inundate the city.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The trouble was a bacterial abscess on the child’s neck, swollen, red, warm to the touch, about the size of a ping-pong ball, large enough to force the head into a tilt.
    — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of swollen
Adjective
  • Combine these free-flowering, compact cascaders with bold uprights like canna lilies or coleus and textural fillers like euphorbia and lantana to keep your display balanced and brimming.
    — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 14 May 2026
  • Exhausting, exhilarating softball in which to spend my body’s force—that in the morning—then in the afternoon, the brimming, hearty stew of family life.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of brimming
Verb
  • Tropical Hibiscus Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), as the name suggests, is native to tropical climates in Asia and produces dramatic, vibrant flowers that can grow up to 6 inches in diameter with protruding stamens.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Akhenaten, who may have been the boy-king’s father, was depicted in artwork as having wide hips and a protruding belly, which stood out from portraits of other Egyptian royalty.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of protruding
Verb
  • There aren’t many good new comedies bursting onto the scene these days, but this is a worthwhile one to binge.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Desperation is the defining mood, mostly sublimated and sometimes bursting through the surface, as when a man demanding his savings threatens self-immolation at the bank.
    — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of bursting
Adjective
  • Lu, who has protuberant light brown eyes, small black ears and a floppy tongue, loves to snuggle with her four-legged foster siblings and stretch out in the sun, according to the contest website.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • And the rear of the case is deeper to accommodate a protuberant rear camera—hinting that the next iPad will see a big camera upgrade.
    — David Phelan, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2022
Definition of protuberant
Adjective
  • Maybe the sign-up flow has too many fields, the first action users need to take isn't obvious or there's a setting that should have been pre-filled.
    — Kelli Behan-Aspland, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The Wall Street Journal featured Reese alongside WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson on its magazine cover, even after Caitlin Clark broke numerous records, filled arenas, and set new marks for WNBA broadcasts.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Definition of filled
Verb
  • Seething at his dad for poking at his body insecurities, the comedian dealt with his emotions like any good millennial — by podcasting about it.
    — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Wear the fall wardrobe staple layered, like Brinkley did under a cardigan with the lace poking through, or style it on its own when the weather is a little warmer.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of poking
Verb
  • With the kids back in school and movie theaters buzzing with their best audience numbers in years, September might be the perfect time to catch a matinee.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Since then, Swifties have been buzzing with what this could mean about the superstar’s next career steps.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of buzzing

Browse Nearby Words

bulges
bulging
bulk
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Cite this Entry

“Bulging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulging. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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