Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of protuberance are bulge, projection, and protrusion. While all these words mean "an extension beyond the normal line or surface," protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form.

a skin disease marked by warty protuberances

When is bulge a more appropriate choice than protuberance?

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

bulges in the tile floor

When could projection be used to replace protuberance?

In some situations, the words projection and protuberance are roughly equivalent. However, projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle.

those projections along the wall are safety hazards

In what contexts can protrusion take the place of protuberance?

The words protrusion and protuberance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity.

the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

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 protuberance But mechanical gimbals are not exactly aerodynamic—one example is that massive protuberance on the nose of Predator drones. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Nov. 2011 Many of these species are brightly colored and have protuberances and stinging hairs known as setae, that can cause a rash to humans that touch them. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 2 Oct. 2023 From above, the appendages look like the protuberances of an amoeba. Victoria Sayo Turner, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2023 Despite such a distant relationship to the pachycephalosaurs, however, Triopticus independently evolved a very similar noggin, all the way down to spike-like protuberances around the dome. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for protuberance 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protuberance
Noun
  • While the global forecaster AccuWeather makes projections up to 90 days out, specific, precise daily reports cannot be made more than ten days in advance, according to a 2019 study published in the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences.
    Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
  • According to various projections, was in line for a contract running anywhere from $174 million over six years, to $300 million over nine.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The melon is a protrusion on a beluga’s forehead, made up of fatty tissue and muscle.
    Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The precisely contoured shell shape provides a very close fit through the instep, ankles, and heel, but with enough curvature to encompass—rather than crush—bony protrusions.
    Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The new image reveals vibrant pink hydrogen gas clouds where new stars are forming, bright blue clusters of young stars, and an older yellow central bulge.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Because of the fluid buildup, a bulge forms in the macula.
    Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Consumers with questions can contact Griffith Foods Ltd by calling 708-371-0900 or visit the recall section of the FDA's website.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
  • One section of the law would have made furnishing certain materials to a minor a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in county jail.
    Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • One that’s been photographed, filmed, and swooned over for decades: directly across from Boston Common and neighboring the gilded dome of the Massachusetts State House.
    Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
  • Set in Edwardian London with the dome of St Paul's visible in the background, chimney sweeps and suffragettes fill the stage.
    Irenie Forshaw, theweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • When the loss function has a convenient mathematical property called convexity, this procedure is guaranteed to find the optimal solution.
    Zachary C. Lipton, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Jan. 2016
  • Even more interesting is the fact that Noctua is issuing three variants of the cooler with variations in the convexity of the cold plate: a normal, a high-convexity, and a low-convexity model.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 10 June 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
Noun
  • One of the most obvious policy changes that will be enacted by the incoming Trump administration is that the regulatory overhang and headwind that has been an obstacle for crypto entrepreneurs will be significantly addressed.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
  • While fixing the core business is always the first step, even with an improved and efficient insurance business, Markel would still have a valuation overhang in the form of its Ventures business.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 14 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near protuberance

Cite this Entry

“Protuberance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protuberance. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on protuberance

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