1
as in protruded
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the dress bunches a bit at the waist
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in huddled
to gather into a closely packed group
the slow service caused the customers at the pick-up counter to bunch up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bunched
Recent polls have shown three candidates — two Republicans and one Democrat — bunched closely near the top.
—
George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
The field is tightly bunched, with just over a second separating the top 10.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
Sokolowski says leaving it wet or bunched on the floor traps water and encourages mold, mildew, and odor, which break down fibers over time.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Glenn beat Lockhart 63-14 and Liberty Hill defeated Rouse 53-36 as the top three teams stayed bunched up.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
The sleeves of the look were also bunched up to the elbows, giving the piece an overall relaxed appeal.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Jan. 2026
But there were several hurtful missed tackles Monday and confusion on two plays when Indiana bunched receivers on one side.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Now the teams are somewhat bunched together in play-in land, a neighborhood hardly befitting Greek royalty.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Fabric bunched itself over windows, canopy beds, and frilled out from sofas as skirts.
—Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
The field is tightly bunched, with just over a second separating the top 10.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
Sokolowski says leaving it wet or bunched on the floor traps water and encourages mold, mildew, and odor, which break down fibers over time.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Glenn beat Lockhart 63-14 and Liberty Hill defeated Rouse 53-36 as the top three teams stayed bunched up.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
The sleeves of the look were also bunched up to the elbows, giving the piece an overall relaxed appeal.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Jan. 2026
But there were several hurtful missed tackles Monday and confusion on two plays when Indiana bunched receivers on one side.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Now the teams are somewhat bunched together in play-in land, a neighborhood hardly befitting Greek royalty.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Fabric bunched itself over windows, canopy beds, and frilled out from sofas as skirts.
—Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bunched
Verb
-
Big, waxy flowers called lobster claws protruded from thick stalks.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
However, blood was pouring out of Good’s left ear immediately after the shooting, and tissue protruded from the left side of her head, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported last week.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cats found in and around Maryland home Once at the house, officials found cats huddled together outside.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Underpaid lecturers huddled closer to their space heaters, submerging themselves deeper in Aramaic love poetry to stave off thoughts of the damp.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Just before halftime, Hoffmann poked a loose ball ahead to midcourt, beat a Vernon Hills player to the ball and raced to the basket for a layup to give the Rams a 21-13 lead.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Later, outside of Guthrie's home, Tucson resident Lupita Tello poked the dirt with a sharp metal rod soldered to a handle.—
Helen Rummel,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This year, between spring break camp and half-off Wednesdays, guests can expect it to be crowded once again.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Cavernous, slightly chaotic, and nearly always crowded—this is not just a hotel, but a destination to cross off the checklist for visitors to Singapore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Taking new measurements, the researchers saw that as fluid gushed between cells, creating indentations in their cell membranes, bubbles mostly bulged into weaker cells.—
Clare Watson,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The surrounding metropolitan area has similarly bulged.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This stunning dessert is piled high with fresh berries glazed with jam.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The Lions were one of the best defensive teams in the league in the first half of the season, but fell off when injuries to the secondary piled up.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Strikes launched from flight clustered near loud choruses, while nearly all attacks from perches occurred in silence.—
Leonie Baier,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The planets will be clustered low in the west-southwest for a short time, with Jupiter halfway between the southern horizon and overhead.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bunched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bunched. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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