1
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind
a heavy, hulking stone blocked the way
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in athletic
strongly and heavily built
several hulking shot putters waited outside the throwing circle for their turn in the competition
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hulking
It’s estimated that about 100 of the hulking-yet-graceful animals live in the lower stretch of the San Gabriel River, where salt and freshwater commingle.
—
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
From O’Reilly’s development to the January signing of Antoine Semenyo and the hulking presence of centre-forward Erling Haaland, City now have the counter-attacking firepower to complement their more cerebral approach.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Alabama listed Simpson at 6-2, 208 pounds — not exactly hulking for a pro quarterback — while his 15 collegiate starts are fewer than what NFL teams desire.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
In a Texas town at the edge of the Rio Grande and a tall metal border wall, rumors swirled that federal immigration officials wanted to purchase three hulking warehouses to transform into a detention center.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hulking
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
From O’Reilly’s development to the January signing of Antoine Semenyo and the hulking presence of centre-forward Erling Haaland, City now have the counter-attacking firepower to complement their more cerebral approach.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Alabama listed Simpson at 6-2, 208 pounds — not exactly hulking for a pro quarterback — while his 15 collegiate starts are fewer than what NFL teams desire.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
In a Texas town at the edge of the Rio Grande and a tall metal border wall, rumors swirled that federal immigration officials wanted to purchase three hulking warehouses to transform into a detention center.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hulking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hulking
Adjective
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Employers pared back hiring last year to cope with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves’ payroll tax rises and large increases in the minimum wage.—
Irina Anghel,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The new report adds to a growing body of work that indicates climate change is having a quicker and larger impact on the planet than scientists have understood.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The study makes clear that the $194 million figure encompasses the economic impact of the entire Sac State athletic program with football at the FBS level for one academic year.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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Perrotti manages more than 1,100 athletic events annually and leads fundraising and community partnerships that support athletic programs at the high school.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The attendance figure broke a club record for the Paradise, and part of that came from a sizable AC Boise section of fans who chanted and cheered throughout the game.—
Amaia Gavica,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
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These fees are to be used to pay a sizable chunk of the entry fee into the MAC, with the university then being able to keep them thereafter.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But while the big burly dude alliance might be the strategic headline, the interesting stuff was with the women.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Thrusting a baby into Offerman’s burly arms works wonders to soften up Jinx (as does the actor’s vulnerable turn), and Kenny’s arc proves surprising in the right ways (save, perhaps, one late-arriving twist).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power Saturday after high winds raked eastward from the Great Lakes region, leaving trees down and substantial property damage in their wake.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power Saturday after high winds raked eastward from the Great Lakes region, leaving trees down and substantial property damage in their wake.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Yet launching a conversation around mental health with an audience magnet as powerful as Radcliffe is on balance an excellent thing.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But generating stable and powerful light in this region has proven difficult because most materials strongly absorb it.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Colorado Avalanche Information Center Avalanche danger in some parts of the high country is considerable, particularly on north- and east-facing slopes and on large open slopes just below ridgelines.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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There’s been considerable debate over just how much institutional ownership there is in the housing market and what impact that has.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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One such pet, Lainey, a husky shepherd, was found after going missing in Arizona with the help of a neighbor's Ring camera.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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The team can help plan reindeer and husky rides, reindeer farm visits, snowmobiles tours across the area’s fells and taiga forests, or Aurora-chasing tours, guided by local experts.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hulking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hulking. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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