Definition of bulknext
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bulk

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verb

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

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 bulk
Noun
The pull-on waistband sounds ideal for long flights, and the drapey Tencel won’t add bulk to my petite frame. Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026 His delivery is easy and repeatable, and there’s definitely some room left on his 6-5 frame to add some bulk. Keith Law, New York Times, 12 July 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 See All Example Sentences for bulk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulk
Noun
  • This summer has been challenging, yet Newcastle are adamant that their 85 per cent majority owner, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is determined to spend up to the maximum within the rules moving forward.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • While the majority of classicists are embracing the spectacle of Nolan’s blockbuster, opinions start to diverge when discussing his adaptation of Homer’s language for the screenplay.
    Antonio Ferme, Variety, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • As weight loss drugs reshape how Americans eat, Burger King is gearing up for a future where customers still want fast food — just less of it.
    Hallie Jackson, NBC news, 19 July 2026
  • More than one in 10 Americans takes a GLP-1 medication for weight loss.
    Liz Seegert, Scientific American, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • Some of the most dynamic underclassmen college football has to offer this year come in big, fast and versatile sizes and shapes.
    Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Police also found bloody shoeprints throughout the apartment that, based on their size, were believed to belong to a woman, according to the affidavit.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • In recent months, drone sightings in Nikopol have increased from two or three per day to about three every hour, day and night, Varytsev says.
    Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Homelessness after incarceration increases the chances that someone will end up back behind bars, at a steep cost to taxpayers.
    Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • This was accompanied by sickness, bloating and diarrhea.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
  • These might include cramping, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or an irritated rectum, Hazan says, as well as dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, which can affect heart or kidney function.
    Erica Sweeney, Time, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Hopkinson and chief financial officer Simon Capper visited Nyon, Switzerland, on multiple occasions, while the CEO also spoke to governing-body representatives in Budapest before the Champions League final in May.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Issues of potential fertility decline in this male population also need to be addressed, as well as signs of high testosterone including sleep issues, excess body hair, liver disease, weight gain and mood disorders.
    Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Whether your particular version of gray hair is bright white, a steely salt-and-pepper, or somewhere stunningly in-between, certain cuts bring out the dimension of your shade and the best of your texture.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 17 July 2026
  • Mudlarks often linger on the therapeutic and quasi-mystical dimensions of their visits to the river.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • The charge by lawmakers was that these investors, most of whom were able to buy the homes with all cash, were inflating prices and sidelining regular owner-occupant buyers.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • And twice a James Beard Award semifinalist, Hanna would change his tune on fine dining once COVID-19 and inflated food prices upended the industry.
    Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bulk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulk. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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