Synonyms of bulk

bulk 1 of 2

noun

ˈbəlk 

1

as in majority

the largest part or quantity of something

agriculture makes up the bulk of the country's economy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• majority
• mass
• preponderance
• plurality
• generality
• most
• lion's share
• maximum
• loads
• lot
• abundance
• plenty
• heap
• wealth
• reams
• profusion
• oodles
• much
• scads

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minority
• few
• handful
• least
• couple
• minimum
• smattering
• sprinkling

2

as in weight

the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts

the cookie lost a few crumbs, but the bulk of it remained

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weight
• body
• core
• majority
• mass
• staple
• essence
• entirety
• whole
• chief
• main
• burden
• amount
• bottom
• substance
• nature
• middle
• heft
• root
• center
• brunt
• sum
• total
• focus
• generality
• meat
• heart
• matter
• aggregate
• subject
• kernel
• stuff
• totality
• nucleus
• quantum
• marrow
• soul
• text
• topic
• hub
• sum total
• seat
• theme
• argument
• pitch
• point
• pith
• affair
• motif
• quintessence
• nut
• gist
• essentiality
• crux
• purport
• nub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extension
• component
• part
• element
• section
• ingredient
• constituent
• piece
• segment
• adjunct
• appendage
• accessory
• division
• quality
• side
• offshoot
• aspect
• feature
• angle
• facet

3

as in size

the total amount of measurable space or surface occupied by something

due to its bulk, we were unable to get the enormous bookcase into the back seat of the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

• size
• dimension
• measurement
• extent
• proportion
• magnitude
• measure
• area
• volume
• bulkiness
• amplitude
• largeness
• vastness
• mass
• bigness
• spaciousness
• hugeness
• massiveness
• immensity
• commodiousness
• roominess
• greatness
• capaciousness
• tremendousness
• monstrousness
• voluminousness
• grandness
• stupendousness
• grossness
• enormousness
• heftiness
• ampleness
• immenseness

bulk

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to increase

Related Words

• increase
• inflate
• rise
• accumulate
• puff (up)
• roll up
• boom
• swell
• mount
• accelerate
• blow up
• expand
• proliferate
• escalate
• wax
• appreciate
• surge
• enlarge
• gain
• distend
• multiply
• climb
• snowball
• rocket
• mushroom
• jump
• build up
• spread
• skyrocket
• intensify
• peak
• balloon
• heighten
• burgeon
• redouble
• crest
• crescendo

Dissimilar Words

• decrease
• diminish
• contract
• lessen
• recede
• shrink
• dwindle
• compress
• condense
• wane
• constrict

2

as in to bloat

Related Words

• bloat
• glut
• flood
• swamp
• load
• pack
• heap
• fill
• shove
• drench
• squash
• stuff
• crowd
• mat
• replenish
• ram
• squeeze
• refill
• crush
• brim
• repack
• press
• charge
• reload
• jam
• cram
• saturate
• refresh
• jam-pack
• overflow
• penetrate
• overcharge
• overfill
• honeycomb

Dissimilar Words

• empty
• clear
• void
• eliminate
• vacate
• evacuate
• drain
• lighten
• draw (off)
• exhaust
• clean
• sweep
• deplete
• bleed
• purge
• flush
• scour

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bulk different from other nouns like it?

The words mass and volume are common synonyms of bulk. While all three words mean "the aggregate that forms a body or unit," bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous.

the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers

Where would mass be a reasonable alternative to bulk?

While in some cases nearly identical to bulk, mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind.

a mass of boulders

When could volume be used to replace bulk?

The words volume and bulk are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating.

a tremendous volume of water

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bulk

Noun

Even better, these ribbed, cable-knit, and pleated designs don’t add bulk beneath early-fall jackets. — Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Over the four decades to 2020, China lifted the vast bulk of its population out of poverty, and in 2021 leader Xi Jinping declared that extreme poverty had been eliminated. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

Add shredded chicken to bulk it up further, or finish it with a dollop of sour cream, some fresh cilantro, or a bit of shredded cheese. — Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026

Just bulk those puppies out, stop wasting your time. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Phrases Containing bulk

• bulk (up)