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
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Recent Examples of nodules
Of particular interest are polymetallic nodules – agglomerations, typically smaller than a potato, containing manganese and other metals and found in the silt of the deep ocean floor.
—
Coalter G Lathrop, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
On the seafloor, the nodules are vital habitat, part of a fragile ecosystem of marine species that are adapted to the dark, cold environment.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
The fusion crust nodules became more defined at 250x magnification.
—Heather Barker, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
The lead manufacturer of PDGF has cautioned that injecting PDGF too superficially at high concentrations or in delicate areas may potentially cause localized collagen nodules, transient swelling, or discoloration.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
These close-up shots revealed the pea-sized nodules and the intricate textures of the ridges themselves, giving scientists their clearest view yet of how ancient groundwater reshaped this part of Mars.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
Coalter G Lathrop, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
On the seafloor, the nodules are vital habitat, part of a fragile ecosystem of marine species that are adapted to the dark, cold environment.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
The fusion crust nodules became more defined at 250x magnification.
—Heather Barker, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
The lead manufacturer of PDGF has cautioned that injecting PDGF too superficially at high concentrations or in delicate areas may potentially cause localized collagen nodules, transient swelling, or discoloration.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
These close-up shots revealed the pea-sized nodules and the intricate textures of the ridges themselves, giving scientists their clearest view yet of how ancient groundwater reshaped this part of Mars.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 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
-
And while some can work magic with a claw clip, others struggle to avoid lumps and bumps without invoking gels and wax.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2026
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The risks, though, include uneven lumps or damaged tissue, open sores and permanent scarring.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Such efforts would have likely included hacking military networks, jamming radar systems, disrupting satellites, and destroying communication nodes.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Major airports like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have positioned themselves as key connecting nodes for global airline routes, with millions of passengers transiting through them every year.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Whether bumps or pits, roughness or a distinct lack of luminosity, uneven skin texture impacts all of us at some point.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Hailey Bieber's solution to claw clip bumps?—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Every hockey player is nursing bumps and bruises at this time of year but all of McAvoy’s have seemingly been directly to his face.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Her jeans are filthy; her blonde hair hangs in loose, greasy strings; bruises speckle her thin arms, and there’s a patch of blood above her right eye.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One group was given anthocyanin-rich dark sweet cherry extract before tumors were introduced — while another was given a chemotherapy drug after the tumors developed.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
During Wallace's trial, Hinrichs removed one of her tumors through surgery and then grew immune cells, or T cells, trained to fight the tumor up to large numbers in a laboratory.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nodules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nodules. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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