as in swellings
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue
a nodule on the leaf indicated that a worm had laid eggs there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 nodules
The collector vehicle is lowered by a cable, and the nodules are returned to the surface in a separate pipe; for simplicity, the diagrams in this article do not show both at the same time.
—
Harry Stevens, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Before, Ahmad could tap — meaning to cut incisions in the acacia trees, which exude sap that a few weeks later hardens into nodules of Hashab gum — four orchards in one go.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Only about 1 out of 10 thyroid nodules turns out to be cancerous.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Boston Fire Commissioner Rodney Marshall said recent early detection screening for roughly 1,500 firefighters revealed 637 high-risk cases, including, but not limited to aortic aneurysms; cancerous polyps and nodules on the trachea, thyroid and lungs; prostate cancer and lung cancer.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Painful nodules, recurring abscesses and slow-healing lesions often come and go in cycles, with symptoms that shift in severity and location over time.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 18 May 2026
There, red nodules formed and progressed to develop dark centers.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Plants That Benefit From Being Planted With Beans With the help of bacteria that grow in nodules on their roots, bean plants and their relatives enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen from the air into a form usable by plants.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Heads with nodules made from rubber, plastic or silicone are better at keeping limescale from forming quickly.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Harry Stevens, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Before, Ahmad could tap — meaning to cut incisions in the acacia trees, which exude sap that a few weeks later hardens into nodules of Hashab gum — four orchards in one go.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Only about 1 out of 10 thyroid nodules turns out to be cancerous.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Boston Fire Commissioner Rodney Marshall said recent early detection screening for roughly 1,500 firefighters revealed 637 high-risk cases, including, but not limited to aortic aneurysms; cancerous polyps and nodules on the trachea, thyroid and lungs; prostate cancer and lung cancer.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Painful nodules, recurring abscesses and slow-healing lesions often come and go in cycles, with symptoms that shift in severity and location over time.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 18 May 2026
There, red nodules formed and progressed to develop dark centers.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Plants That Benefit From Being Planted With Beans With the help of bacteria that grow in nodules on their roots, bean plants and their relatives enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen from the air into a form usable by plants.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Heads with nodules made from rubber, plastic or silicone are better at keeping limescale from forming quickly.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nodules
Noun
-
Infection is rapid, causing swellings in the lymph nodes (buboes) and leading to septicaemia and pulmonary infection.—
Matthew Binnicker,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The question becomes whether the Blues want to bring in a reinforcement now or let their recent high draft picks take their lumps.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
This fermentation process separates the milk into curds (the thicker lumps of cheese) and whey (the liquid portion).—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Heat therapy combined with deep-kneading nodes helps loosen tight muscles and improve blood flow.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
Each Mind model features 22 individual nodes directly under the foot which are intended to help the wearer stay present and connect with their surroundings.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
It is characterized by high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rashes or bumps that appear seven to 14 days after exposure.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
The overall agreement will result in small pay bumps for everybody covered by the agreement and annual pay hikes of about 4 % for the duration of the deal.—
Jesse Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
No one expects anyone to come out here and not have bumps and bruises or injuries or all these things.—
Brian Mahoney,
Twin Cities,
10 June 2026
-
Sources said police are investigating the incident as a robbery, and the victim was taken to a local hospital to be treated for bruises and swelling.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The drugs may also dial down the inflammation that can drive cancer development—and might even act directly on tumors.—
Lori Youmshajekian,
Scientific American,
8 June 2026
-
However, the majority of pancreatic cancers occur when genetic mutations trigger uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas, eventually forming tumors.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nodules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nodules. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
