PROJECTION Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'projection' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of projection are bulge , protrusion , and protuberance . While all these words mean "an extension beyond the normal line or surface," projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle. // those projections along the wall are safety hazards

Q: When is it sensible to use 'bulge' instead of 'projection'?

The synonyms bulge and projection are sometimes interchangeable, but bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure. // bulges in the tile floor

Q: When is 'protrusion' a more appropriate choice than 'projection'?

The words protrusion and projection can be used in similar contexts, but protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity. // the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

Q: Where would 'protuberance' be a reasonable alternative to 'projection'?

The words protuberance and projection are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form. // a skin disease marked by warty protuberances

projection

noun

prə-ˈjek-shən

Definition of projection

as in dome

a part that sticks out from the general mass of something filed down all the projections until the surface was smooth

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How is the word projection different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of projection are bulge, protrusion, and protuberance. While all these words mean "an extension beyond the normal line or surface," projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle.

those projections along the wall are safety hazards

When is it sensible to use bulge instead of projection?

The synonyms bulge and projection are sometimes interchangeable, but bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure.

bulges in the tile floor

When is protrusion a more appropriate choice than projection?

The words protrusion and projection can be used in similar contexts, but protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity.

the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

Where would protuberance be a reasonable alternative to projection?

The words protuberance and projection are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form.

a skin disease marked by warty protuberances

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 projection Given Abbey’s anxieties about spending money and fear of not having enough, Stacy plans to use very conservative assumptions for inflation, health costs and average returns when making her projections based on Abbey’s savings today. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 The projection window carries a PDLC film from Innovate Glass, a material that flips between clear and opaque, switched by a DMX controller (a standard stage-lighting signal). — New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026 Data from 2024-2025 suggests that the industry is scaling, with organic cotton initiatives bringing in around 2,062 farmers on approximately 4,600 hectares of farmland, with projections reaching 7,400 hectares by 2025-2026. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Projected median margin of victories according to the Maxwell projections are also included. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for projection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for projection

Noun

Rocket Lab still needs to build a new forward dome, then cure and inspect it — steps that are expected to be complete by the end of the year, according to Beck.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Scaling up Engineers discovered voids, or air pockets, between layers of carbon fiber that make up the domes’ composite structure.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dome

Noun

When suggesting a link (like a link to a voter portal, tracker, or locator), provide the markdown link early in the response or at the top of the relevant section.

— Rakesh Agrawal, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
As the song unfolds, the drums, lead vocal, background vocals, chord movement and production all play a role in carrying and reshaping it, allowing the sections to feel distinctly different while still remaining tightly connected.

— David Penn, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of section

Noun

The historic weather pattern claimed more than a dozen homes along the shore in Long Beach, swallowing up boardwalks and portions of the Pacific Coast Highway farther south.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued smoke advisories for several areas across the region, including portions of Newport Beach to San Clemente due to the Norte fire.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of portion

Noun

Moments later, Jay is trapped inside, surrounded by gooey protrusions of undulating flesh.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Despite their pointy protrusions, the sculptures are not spiky enough to leave a mark; and despite their flirtations with touchy subject matter, none of the works—not even the 9/11 ones—are vulgar enough to get Wolfson in hot water.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of protrusion

Noun

Today, convexity, which can be more expensive, is used earlier and some experts recommend a convexity-first approach after ostomy surgery.

— Diego Schaps, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
The tower flaunts its partnership with the Dime Savings Bank, sending the 1908 landmark’s geometrical exuberance rocketing upward in a play of convexities and concavities, glass and trim, darkness and gleam.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2026

Definition of convexity

Noun

As does the Buddha’s Hand, a pulp-less lemon with fragrant, yellowy finger-like protuberances best for zesting, candying, and making infusions for teas, simple syrups, marinades, and libations.

— Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Described as bright green with small protuberances on its back, the frog belongs to the Gastrotheca genus, a group of marsupial frogs found in Central and South America.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026

Definition of protuberance

Noun

For the spring 2027 collection, McGirr fulfilled a dream, inviting the jeweler and former McQueen collaborator, Shaun Leane, to create pieces for the runway for the first time in 16 years.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Schlossman does admit that not every piece of the AI ecosystem will pass a stress test.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of piece

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projecting

projection

projections

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“Projection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/projection. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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