bulge 1 of 2

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bulge

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verb

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as in to burst
to be copiously supplied this guidebook to San Francisco positively bulges with useful information

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of bulge are projection, protrusion, and protuberance. While all these words mean "an extension beyond the normal line or surface," bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure.

bulges in the tile floor

When is projection a more appropriate choice than bulge?

The synonyms projection and bulge are sometimes interchangeable, but projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle.

those projections along the wall are safety hazards

Where would protrusion be a reasonable alternative to bulge?

While in some cases nearly identical to bulge, protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity.

the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

When would protuberance be a good substitute for bulge?

The meanings of protuberance and bulge largely overlap; however, 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 bulge
Noun
Aortic aneurysm: An aortic aneurysm occurs when a bulge forms in the aorta, the large artery that carries oxygen from the heart. Mark Gurarie, Health, 14 Feb. 2025 That places the star right by the central bulge of the Milky Way, where stellar bodies are densely packed. Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
Then Werfel jumped up, screaming, his face a deep purple, his eyes bulging. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 Infants may show different signs such as poor feeding, irritability, bulging of the soft spot on their head or lethargy. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge
Noun
  • The reason whooping cough can bring on such a gnarly, well, cough in the first place is because of how B. pertussis wreaks havoc: These bugs latch on to the cilia (a.k.a. tiny hairlike protrusions) on cells in your respiratory tract and ooze toxins, triggering inflammation and swelling.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Under such low pressure, the electric field causes positive ions generated from the residual gas in a tube to accelerate and bombard the cathode, creating sharp, nanometer-scale protrusions, which degrade and, ultimately, destroy it.
    Jin-Woo Han, IEEE Spectrum, 23 June 2014
Noun
  • These early experiments illustrated one of geothermal’s key advantages: it can be used for both electricity and heating, which collectively account for around thirty-eight per cent of global climate emissions.
    Brent Crane, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
  • That gave Sporting a man advantage for 44 minutes, including stoppage time.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Its most significant physical feature is a segmented tread protruding from its back, and extending to the front of its face.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • In September 2024, suspect Ryan Routh, 59, was detained after Secret Service agents spotted a rifle protruding from a bush while Trump was playing on the golf course.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Recycled beads turn into jewelry bursting with color.
    Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Plant these flowers from seed to have a garden bursting with color.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Canadian company is responsible for the cameras and projection systems that allow movies to be seen on the biggest screens around the world.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Nvidia’s projection of $43 billion in sales for the current quarter — a 65% increase — was about $1 billion more than analysts projected, the Journal noted.
    Peter Cohan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The dogs crowded at the edge of the cliff, barking around a small piñon that grew from a crack in the rocks.
    Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This is important because the solar wind ricochets around the bubble our solar system sits within, known as the heliosphere; the edges of that bubble represent the barrier between our cosmic neighborhood and the rest of the universe.
    Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Read more Adrien Brody gives powerful Oscar speech after Best Actor win The worst Super Bowl ads of 2025 Hulu's Oscars gaffe, email error sparks anger During the ceremony, Oscars host Conan O'Brien poked fun at the Dune star's outfit color choice.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Offerman also poked fun at himself with quips about his monotone voice and his appearance.
    EW.com, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Mercury will also activate this area of your chart as of March 3, so your mind will be buzzing with ideas.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Osaka has quite a bit of hotel buzz this year, with both Patina and Waldorf Astoria opening imminently.
    Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulge. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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