billow 1 of 2

Definition of billownext
as in wave
a moving ridge on the surface of water the great billows created by the ocean storm threatened to swamp the fishing boat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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billow

2 of 2

verb

Example 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 billow
Noun
Rol has so far counted 148 vehicles burned by the fire, which produced billows of black smoke visible from across metro Denver. Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026 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
Verb
The aircraft then fall to the ground before exploding, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air. Greg Wehner , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026 Videos show collision, parachutes opening in the sky Photos and videos shared on social media showed the two fighter jets colliding midair before spinning and crashing to the ground, causing a fiery explosion and large plumes of black smoke to billow into the sky. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for billow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
Noun
  • The incident came amid a wave of teen violence across the country.
    Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
  • This seminal work influenced the first wave of contemporary American producers for public radio.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Under the flaps of his jacket there was a small tear in his T-shirt, directly over his left nipple, which protruded like a knot of purple rope.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
  • And in turn, the 867-foot monolith protruding from the surrounding Wyoming prairie like the stump of the world’s largest tree became a big draw for tourists.
    Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Weather conditions at the time were severe, with high winds and rough swells of more than 13 feet.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
  • The clubs that came to compete this year were met with plenty of swell and sunshine throughout the event.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Spikes of speedwell look lovely poking up along the edges of paths and garden beds in summer.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
  • Some birds also will poke holes in the ground looking for tasty critters.
    Joan Morris, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • The tank in greatest crisis was already bulging on Thursday.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
  • Her stomach bulged beneath her I ❤ FLORIDA boatneck and her face was round and waxy-pale.
    Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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