Synonyms of bulk

bulk 1 of 2

noun

ˈbəlk 

1

as in majority

the largest part or quantity of something

agriculture makes up the bulk of the country's economy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• majority
• mass
• preponderance
• plurality
• generality
• most
• lion's share
• maximum
• loads
• lot
• abundance
• plenty
• heap
• wealth
• reams
• profusion
• oodles
• much
• scads

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minority
• few
• handful
• least
• couple
• minimum
• smattering
• sprinkling

2

as in weight

the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts

the cookie lost a few crumbs, but the bulk of it remained

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weight
• body
• core
• majority
• mass
• staple
• essence
• entirety
• whole
• chief
• main
• burden
• amount
• bottom
• substance
• nature
• middle
• heft
• root
• center
• brunt
• sum
• total
• focus
• generality
• meat
• heart
• matter
• aggregate
• subject
• kernel
• stuff
• totality
• nucleus
• quantum
• marrow
• soul
• text
• topic
• hub
• sum total
• seat
• theme
• argument
• pitch
• point
• pith
• affair
• motif
• quintessence
• nut
• gist
• essentiality
• crux
• purport
• nub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extension
• component
• part
• element
• section
• ingredient
• constituent
• piece
• segment
• adjunct
• appendage
• accessory
• division
• quality
• side
• offshoot
• aspect
• feature
• angle
• facet

3

as in size

the total amount of measurable space or surface occupied by something

due to its bulk, we were unable to get the enormous bookcase into the back seat of the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

• size
• dimension
• measurement
• extent
• proportion
• magnitude
• measure
• area
• volume
• bulkiness
• amplitude
• largeness
• vastness
• mass
• bigness
• spaciousness
• hugeness
• massiveness
• immensity
• commodiousness
• roominess
• greatness
• capaciousness
• tremendousness
• monstrousness
• voluminousness
• grandness
• stupendousness
• grossness
• enormousness
• heftiness
• ampleness
• immenseness

bulk

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to increase

Related Words

• increase
• inflate
• rise
• accumulate
• puff (up)
• roll up
• boom
• swell
• mount
• accelerate
• blow up
• expand
• proliferate
• escalate
• wax
• appreciate
• surge
• enlarge
• gain
• distend
• multiply
• climb
• snowball
• rocket
• mushroom
• jump
• build up
• spread
• skyrocket
• intensify
• peak
• balloon
• heighten
• burgeon
• redouble
• crest
• crescendo

Dissimilar Words

• decrease
• diminish
• contract
• lessen
• recede
• shrink
• dwindle
• compress
• condense
• wane
• constrict

2

as in to bloat

Related Words

• bloat
• glut
• flood
• swamp
• load
• pack
• heap
• fill
• shove
• drench
• squash
• stuff
• crowd
• mat
• replenish
• ram
• squeeze
• refill
• crush
• brim
• repack
• press
• charge
• reload
• jam
• cram
• saturate
• refresh
• jam-pack
• overflow
• penetrate
• overcharge
• overfill
• honeycomb

Dissimilar Words

• empty
• clear
• void
• eliminate
• vacate
• evacuate
• drain
• lighten
• draw (off)
• exhaust
• clean
• sweep
• deplete
• bleed
• purge
• flush
• scour

Synonym Chooser

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

The words mass and volume are common synonyms of bulk. While all three words mean "the aggregate that forms a body or unit," bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous.

the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers

Where would mass be a reasonable alternative to bulk?

While in some cases nearly identical to bulk, mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind.

a mass of boulders

When could volume be used to replace bulk?

The words volume and bulk are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating.

a tremendous volume of water

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bulk

Noun

The one-pan pre-cook is a Sunday ritual where families roast or bake versatile ingredients in bulk, then mix and match them throughout the week. —Miami Herald, 27 May 2026

The retailer named for Walmart founder Sam Walton was launched 43 years ago as a warehouse club for small businesses, and now draws families buying in bulk. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 27 May 2026

Verb

Manufacturers artificially create sugar alcohols and use them as bulking sugars to cut the intense sweetness of other no-calorie sweeteners such as aspartame. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025

Hard-line Republicans initially bulking at the price tag. —ABC News, 6 July 2025

Phrases Containing bulk

• bulk (up)