1
as in protrusion
a part that sticks out from the general mass of something
several bulges in the old vinyl flooring in the dingy bathroom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
she got the bulge on him in the race for the statehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the sides of the returning camper's suitcase bulged with a month's worth of dirty laundry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bulge
Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 23 Feb. 2026
In Saturday’s season-opening game against Minnesota United, Austin FC looked proficient in the attacking third, making the net bulge twice.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2026
Fibroids that bulge into the uterine cavity—called submucosal fibroids—are often associated with the most significant bleeding changes, regardless of size.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bulge
Noun
For instance, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) advises people with diverticulosis—a disease in which little sacs bulge out of the weak areas of your colon wall—to incorporate more fiber into their diets.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 23 Feb. 2026
In Saturday’s season-opening game against Minnesota United, Austin FC looked proficient in the attacking third, making the net bulge twice.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
To stabilize bulging sides, drive rebar rods into the soil along the exterior of the beds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2026
Fibroids that bulge into the uterine cavity—called submucosal fibroids—are often associated with the most significant bleeding changes, regardless of size.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge
Noun
-
An unnoticed protrusion on the floor she’s dragged across renders her injury considerably worse, turning temporary acute discomfort into a real medical emergency.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Another cutesy promo video shows the robot phone coming to life, flipping out of a protrusion next to the usual camera bump in the back of the device, and even meeting a humanoid robot face-to-face.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mullins banked in a 3-pointer in the final minute to counter a small run from the Illini and send the Huskies into the break with a 37-29 advantage.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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Leading 46-44 a few minutes into the fourth quarter, South Carolina scored five straight points, capped by Makeer’s 3-pointer to extend the advantage to seven.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 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
Verb
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After heavy rain, swollen streams can burst their banks, carrying mud and boulders down the mountainsides.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Fernandez-Pardo burst down the left flank then slipped the ball between two defenders and found the unmarked Haraldsson at the far post.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As a result, total net unauthorized immigration for 2025 reached -548,000, about 50% more than the Congressional Budget Office’s latest projection of -365,000.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
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But another result, according to experts and projections from government officials, figures to touch wallets.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 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
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Set the scene This is the city's most enviable address, where Orchard Road's buzzing energy meets the serenity of the Singapore Botanical Gardens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Inside the Trivium Corporate Center manufacturing site in Catawba County, the air buzzed with the hum and loud drill sounds of production.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulge. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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