billow 1 of 2

as in wave
a moving ridge on the surface of water the great billows created by the ocean storm threatened to swamp the fishing boat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

billow

2 of 2

verb

Examples 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 billow
Noun
But the war in Gaza is never far away and as Islam feeds her newborn son, a loud explosion rings out nearby and black smoke billows into the air. Ala'a Ibrahim, NBC News, 16 Oct. 2024 Under billows of pale grey rock, a neat little wooden sauna hut appears, as if out of a folktale, next to a subterranean lake of luminescent blue. Rick Jordan, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2024
Verb
Kirchner, in a billowing red ensemble, gave them the finger. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 The two largest sculptures (SCENE 1 and SCENE 2, both 2024) rested flat on the floor, their tan velvet curtains billowing in unlikely swags over aluminum armatures that resembled painting stretchers. Ellen Y. Tani, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for billow 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
Noun
  • With Wayne at the helm, the agency has made waves by combining a deep understanding of culture with a commitment to empowering athletes on and off the field.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Based on this time scale, with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 being announced in January 2025, reviews for the first launch wave that will likely include the RTX 5090 will follow at the end of January or beginning of February with availability around the same time.
    Antony Leather, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In 1970, Smithson traveled to the Great Salt Lake’s Rozel Point peninsula, northwest of Salt Lake City, and arranged 6,000 tons of local black basalt rock into a 1,500-foot-long, protruding line, which reaches into the lake and curls counterclockwise into a spiral.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The attack was foiled when a Secret Service agent spotted a firearm protruding from the bushes.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Approaching the midpoint of this 21st century, there doesn't seem to be a ground swell of support either among the public or industry to push these technologies into fruition.
    Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Rae Burrell Discusses Her Unrivaled Squad Vinyl BC By Devin Robertson Social Media Coordinator 0 Women's basketball has been seeing a swell of support and growth as of late, with record-shattering viewership numbers.
    Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • For all the holes that will try to be poked in Penn State’s Playoff resume in the next week-plus, the reality is this group does a lot of things well.
    Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
  • The following day, Wilson poked fun at herself on Instagram, posting a video of herself jumping up and down, dancing and squatting in a pair of brown bell-bottoms and a whole new show outfit.
    Lori A Bashian Fox News, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Problems with blood flow can lead to aneurysms (bulging due to weakness of the aorta's wall) or tearing.
    Angela Ryan Lee, Health, 28 Dec. 2024
  • The unidentified caseworker was described in court documents as having his eyes bulging, drooling and his arm muscles tensing during the attack.
    Michelle Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near billow

Cite this Entry

“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on billow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!