1
as in protrusion
a part that sticks out from the general mass of something
several bulges in the old vinyl flooring in the dingy bathroom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
she got the bulge on him in the race for the statehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the sides of the returning camper's suitcase bulged with a month's worth of dirty laundry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bulge
Quanta Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025
Everyone in the stadium expected the net to bulge as Palmer went for the curler but the ball actually went quite a few yards wide of the post.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
As Ne Zha, his wide eyes often bulge in different directions.
—Fred Topel, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bulge
Noun
By building calcium carbonate cups one on top of another and budding asexually, polyps collectively bulge, branch, ripple and fan out into diverse shapes, including shelves, boulders, pillars, branches and cauliflower-like nubs.
—Quanta Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025
Everyone in the stadium expected the net to bulge as Palmer went for the curler but the ball actually went quite a few yards wide of the post.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
Beattie is just one figure in a bulging cast of characters that Stewart handily divides into five main categories: Funders, Thinkers, Sergeants, Infantry and Power Players.
—Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
As Ne Zha, his wide eyes often bulge in different directions.
—Fred Topel, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge
Noun
-
Gone are most of the toggle switches (and the little safety protrusions that accompanied them) on the dashboard, with the exception of one for changing between drive, reverse, and neutral, plus another to switch between drive modes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The sea cucumber is also covered with tentacles and papillae, or fleshy protrusions, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Stars finished with a 50-26-6 record, edging out Colorado for second in the division and home ice advantage in this series.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The District 3 race could also play a key role on whether Mahan successfully implements his policy agenda over the next year, as his bloc currently holds a slim voting advantage on the dais that could shift if Quevedo does not win the seat.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The two rear cameras live in a small module that protrudes less than a millimeter from the back case.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Well down the mountainside a small ledge protruded from the sharp ridge like a bulbous growth.—
Percy Brown,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Coogler burst onto the scene with the indie hit Fruitvale Station before going on to direct Creed and the Black Panther franchise (the latter two both starred Jordan).—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Culture Club burst onto the UK new romantic scene in 1981 and became one of the most defining and influential bands of their generation.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
If Russia consolidates its hold on Ukraine today, projections suggest that up to 20 million additional refugees could be forced to flee.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
And while the recent announcement of Olivia Miles’ return for her final collegiate season, albeit at TCU, has shifted projections, Iriafen’s strong March performance and leadership in the absence of JuJu Watkins only raised her profile.—
Annemarie Farrell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Roberts has played several positions across the defensive front but has been primarily an edge defender.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The Karman Line, located 62 miles above Earth, demarcates the edge of space.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Antetokounmpo poked the ball away from Nembhard briefly and a scramble ensued, but the Pacers came up with the ball.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Underneath, a dress in a nearly identical shade poked through slightly, and the actress paired her all-gray attire with black pumps and a matching purse — plus her signature blonde bob, of course.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Leonard was buzzing around the net and effectively baited Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle into some post-whistle contact.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The Temple buzzed with the thrills and demands of serving entertainment and spiritual solace to thousands of people a week.—
Claire Hoffman,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulge. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
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