BULGE Synonyms: 189 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'bulge' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of bulge are projection , protrusion , and protuberance . While all these words mean "an extension beyond the normal line or surface," bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure. // bulges in the tile floor

Q: When is 'projection' a more appropriate choice than 'bulge'?

The synonyms projection and bulge are sometimes interchangeable, but projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle. // those projections along the wall are safety hazards

Q: Where would 'protrusion' be a reasonable alternative to 'bulge'?

While in some cases nearly identical to bulge , protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity. // the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

Q: When would 'protuberance' be a good substitute for 'bulge'?

The meanings of protuberance and bulge largely overlap; however, protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form. // a skin disease marked by warty protuberances

bulge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of bulge next

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

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

bulge

2 of 2

verb

ˈbəlj

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

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied this guidebook to San Francisco positively bulges with useful information

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bulge different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of bulge are projection, protrusion, and protuberance. While all these words mean "an extension beyond the normal line or surface," bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure.

bulges in the tile floor

When is projection a more appropriate choice than bulge?

The synonyms projection and bulge are sometimes interchangeable, but projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle.

those projections along the wall are safety hazards

Where would protrusion be a reasonable alternative to bulge?

While in some cases nearly identical to bulge, protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity.

the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

When would protuberance be a good substitute for bulge?

The meanings of protuberance and bulge largely overlap; however, protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form.

a skin disease marked by warty protuberances

Examples 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 bulge

Noun

The bulging of the intestine into the inguinal canal can not only cause pain, weakness, and a visible bulge in the groin but may also cause hernial strangulation. —

Josephine Hessert, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024 Beyond simply not having an awkward bulge in your pocket from an AirTag, the SmartCards are also a little cheaper with this Black Friday sale—$2 less each. —

New Atlas, 26 Nov. 2024

Verb

There are clusters of Christmas trees twinkling in the café and winter gardens, bulging with presents at the base and joined by glowing animal figures, including lions, whose lifelike fur manes were realized with paper. —

Miles Socha, WWD, 19 Nov. 2024 While winds are the primary cause of storm surge, it’s also affected by a storm’s angle of approach, the shape of the ocean floor and the low pressure within a storm, which slightly aids the bulging effect. —

NBC News, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bulge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge

Noun

In the late ’40s, Disney began rolling out a Goofy Everyman series that strove to clean him up, erase his dental protrusions, relegate his teeth to rectangular boxes, and dress him in business clothes, but the redesign just didn’t stick and maybe even read as a little evil.

Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
Breastfeeding-Specific Tips These tips are for people who are breastfeeding and need help with nipple protrusion to make feeding easier:5 Nipple shields: These devices act like a fake nipple, helping the baby latch and gently pulling the nipple outward.

Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, Health, 2 Nov. 2024