1
as in swollen
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in bursting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 Dec. 2021
Indian streamer ALTBalaji has revealed a focus on the burgeoning Indian youth market and a bulging slate.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 2021
Peter Debruge, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
There's the bug, their main mascot, a green critter with giant bulging eyes.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bulging
Adjective
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
Indian streamer ALTBalaji has revealed a focus on the burgeoning Indian youth market and a bulging slate.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 2021
Verb
In the scene, when Zoey and Mira catch sight of the guys, their eyes turn into bulging red hearts, then change shape several more times as the attraction escalates.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
There's the bug, their main mascot, a green critter with giant bulging eyes.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bulging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulging
Adjective
-
He was followed by an interested female, her behind swollen red.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
However, when Taylor’s doctor dilated his eyes, the optic nerves, which connect the eyes to the brain, were found to be completely swollen.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
To add to the hilarity, one of the dachshunds appeared to have chewed through a couch cushion and somehow gotten stuck inside it, with its head and legs filmed protruding through the torn fabric.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The early word was that the protruding pair was a customized version of Adidas Adistar Cushion 3 sneakers made specifically for Williams.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
City soon claimed the blueprint as their own, bursting through on goal on four occasions after sweeping moves.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Plant sugars usually concentrate in plant leaves and roots and act as a sort of natural anti-freeze that keeps plant cells from bursting in the cold.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Whereas Vaslav’s unorthodox looks infatuated many people, hers (protuberant teeth and lips, stocky body, flat chest, powerful thighs) alienated many.—
Alastair Macaulay,
The New York Review of Books,
29 Dec. 2022
-
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
Adjective
-
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
Verb
-
This isn’t Lovato’s first time poking fun at the meme.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Or use your finger, poking it about 2 inches into the soil.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Shaw-naé explains how then-mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is dying to speak with her, how the Venmo CEO invited her to some fancy app meeting, all while Al Roker is buzzing on her phone to give an update on Friday’s upcoming dinner service.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Best Time to Visit The best times to visit São Paulo are between September and November, when the city is buzzing with events—don’t miss the São Paulo Biennial and the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The photo clearly shows the feline's dilated pupils and ears backward, which is exactly what cats look like when mad.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Angelo’s crooked corset, Joan’s shredded gown, and team leader Ethan’s bizarre jumpsuit — which reminds Law of a dilated cervix — end up on the bottom.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bulging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulging. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share