BULGING Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

bulging 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of bulging

as in swollen

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in bursting

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

bulging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bulge

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

as in buzzing

to be copiously supplied this guidebook to San Francisco positively bulges with useful information

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 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

Their bulging eyes stare back at the Queen’s Consort, empty in pallid faces. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 The design choice makes the missiles look strange, their rear end bulging. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bulging

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulging

Adjective

The deer’s neck was swollen both from the rut and from having to support the monstrous rack.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
And nine Fort Hood soldiers died in 2016 when a rain-swollen creek swept their vehicle into rushing waters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 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

The wealth of the richest Americans has torqued upward, bursting through the top of the graph, with no end in sight, completely untethered from the rest of the United States.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Murphy has built an empire by keeping a full-to-bursting pipeline of shows and returning to certain creative wells.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 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

But Vicki immediately goes past Meredith Marks (disengaging) to Amanda Frances (opening her laptop and working), even as the others try to earn their paychecks by poking at her.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
Milk Stage of Kernels Check the kernels on an ear by poking it with your fingernail.

— Danielle Ernest, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of poking

Verb

The dreamy setting is an ideal spot to drop anchor for a relaxing swim, snorkel, and linger over a bottle of local wine under umbrella pine trees buzzing with cicadas.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Now, two new heartthrobs of the 2020s have joined the party, with Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie and Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland both buzzing their notable hairstyles in favor of a summery buzz cut.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of buzzing

Browse Nearby Words

bulges

bulging

bulk

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bulging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulging. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bulging

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

devolve

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes