as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the curtains in the open windows billowed in the summer wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of billow
Chris Lau, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Video released by the prison shows large chunks of debris flying off the roof with what appears to be billows of black storm clouds above the penitentiary.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
David Ubben, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The billowing silhouette of harem and balloon pants is back in focus, as seen on the spring 2026 runways of New York Fashion Week.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for billow
Noun
Tokyo — Large clouds of smoke billow from Japan’s most famous mountain.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Video released by the prison shows large chunks of debris flying off the roof with what appears to be billows of black storm clouds above the penitentiary.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Get too close to the smoke billowing out of the preseason hype machine, and you might get pelted by a gear or screw spewing from the engine.
—David Ubben, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The billowing silhouette of harem and balloon pants is back in focus, as seen on the spring 2026 runways of New York Fashion Week.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for billow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
Noun
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Or a more lasting Trumpism, part of a deeper, conservative populist wave with real political staying power?—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, the front curls folded like waves over the top of her head; baby hairs falling alongside.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The display bezels are super thin at the top and on both sides, with Lenovo’s protruding upper-edge notch housing the webcam and other electronics.—
Mark Coppock,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
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That is followed by a tabletop planetarium featuring images of planets beamed onto moving objects which magically protrude from it.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mabin said the department has been planning for the World Cup, which will bring six matches and a swell of fans to Arrowhead Stadium in June and July, for the better part of the last two years.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
18 Sep. 2025
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The sun had barely risen over the Arabian Sea, casting a pale gold shimmer across the water as a small fishing boat rocked gently on the swells.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Keep communication open by avoiding poking fun at these practices.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
16 Sep. 2025
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Gibson proceeded to the Children’s Chorus room, where two staffers welcomed her to poke through the costume racks.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kering has been dragged down by steep declines at its star brand and a bulging debt load, forcing the group to shutter stores, offload real estate and reduce headcount after a dismal start to the year that saw group net profit plummet 46 percent in the first half.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
14 Sep. 2025
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The cockpit, itself about as big as an entire Gulfstream private jet, looks like a pimple bulging from the WindRunner’s staggering frame.—
Andrew Moseman,
IEEE Spectrum,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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