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
Claire Galofaro, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
By night, fires dot the serene landscape and smoke billows from chimneys as guests sip cocktails and cocoa or take a sleigh ride over powdery, sparkling snow.
—Wendy O'Dea, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2025
Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Images and video posted online showed moments after the explosion as smoke plumes and flames billowed into the sky.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for billow
Noun
Three seconds later, the Honda crashes into a parked car with such force its tires fly off the street, the pile of cars lurches forward several feet and snow billows.
—Claire Galofaro, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
By night, fires dot the serene landscape and smoke billows from chimneys as guests sip cocktails and cocoa or take a sleigh ride over powdery, sparkling snow.
—Wendy O'Dea, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2025
Verb
Dramatic footage shows flames and thick black smoke billowing from the area around the airport, while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
—Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Images and video posted online showed moments after the explosion as smoke plumes and flames billowed into the sky.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for billow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
Noun
-
When the jet is streaming rapidly, planetary waves ripple along quickly in the atmosphere, bringing fronts with more frequent changes in the weather, Rutz said.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
On the Island of the Gods, fresh ideas arrive like waves, creating a glorious cocktail of cultures and influences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Part of it protrudes from the exterior, with natural airflow helping keep the food inside chilled.—
Adam Williams
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
-
In the bathroom, a chemical meant to make trace blood more visible reacted in the sink and the bathtub, while a visible bloodstain was found under the protruding edge of a vanity, Hooks said.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Only 2200 of them remain, having staved off swells of economic uncertainty, retaining their Irish accents and ways of life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The bills drew a swell of opposition during a public hearing earlier this month.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And time is running out before teams begin poking and prodding at the puzzle, trying to find ways to break it apart.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Finding shooters in the corner, using Oldacre and Cunningham or the open person can be a way for Texas to poke holes in Michigan's defense.—
Zoe Collins Rath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Tar Heel pipeline isn’t exactly bulging with the kind of coach the UNC job could attract.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The Apple engineers’ eyes bulged in astonishment.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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