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

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 protuberance Tiny projections stick out from the stalk, and the crooked tip has structures called a conical protuberance, a globular head and a rugged flap. Katie Cottingham, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Sep. 2024 These extreme eruptions on the sun, if large enough, may be visible as tiny pink protuberances peaking around the edge of the moon. Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024 When Kahan threw the typically upbeat floral protuberance, Tango obligingly chased after it just like a real dog would. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2024 But mechanical gimbals are not exactly aerodynamic—one example is that massive protuberance on the nose of Predator drones. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Nov. 2011 See All Example Sentences for protuberance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protuberance
Noun
  • But fiscal hawks are less enthusiastic about the tax cuts because of the debt projections.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2025
  • However, with revenue projections for the budget year that begins July 1 dimming in the months since the governor made his proposal, legislators approved some new ideas to bring in more money, including changes that would allow Illinois to tax offshore and out-of-state corporate profits.
    Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • The slow-moving creatures, — distinguished by the thorn-like protrusions that cover their bodies — are found up to 3,600 feet below the surface of the ocean.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Gone are most of the toggle switches (and the little safety protrusions that accompanied them) on the dashboard, with the exception of one for changing between drive, reverse, and neutral, plus another to switch between drive modes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At present, the two black holes are separated by only around 2,600 light-years (roughly one-tenth of the distance between Earth and Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way's central black hole), with the smaller hole moving around the host galaxy's bulge.
    Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Each thong is made from luxe, breathable Italian microfiber and constructed with raw-cut edges without elastic or taping to eliminate digs, bulges and panty lines designed to provide comfort and a flawless fit.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 May 2025
Noun
  • In the surreal fictional section, estranged friends reconnect on Christmas and rehash the past while questioning whether a foreboding bloodlike substance leaking out into the hallway is real.
    Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 2 June 2025
  • For Burns Harbor, funding the trail sections has been challenging.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Cone, empire, and dome pendants, like the Laroche Steel Dimmable Pendant, often feature opaque metal or fabric shades that direct light downwards, making this type the optimal choice for task lighting.
    Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
  • The objective is to study the composition and origin of the domes and surroundings.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 June 2025
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
  • In 2019, a year after swells of protests swept through universities in Chile, a group of women, many of them blindfolded, took over the streets of Valparaiso, a coastal city in the country, to dance and sing a song that would go on to become an anthem.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2025
  • The day passes uneventfully — though the swell makes waters choppy, guests are still able to enjoy the water toys.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The farmstand facade, with its deep porch and metal overhang, hints at just some of the goodies within, from fresh fruits and veggies to preserves and jams.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • The dining area, living room, and study all spill out to terraces shielded by deep overhangs and a minimalist pergola.
    Mark David, Robb Report, 30 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Protuberance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protuberance. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on protuberance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!