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

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 protuberance 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 Many of these species are brightly colored and have protuberances and stinging hairs known as setae, that can cause a rash to humans that touch them. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 2 Oct. 2023 From above, the appendages look like the protuberances of an amoeba. Victoria Sayo Turner, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for protuberance 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protuberance
Noun
  • FanGraphs’ various projection systems all place him somewhere between 5-6 WAR for 2025.
    Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The 180-degree rotating lens offers flexible projection angles, while electronic focus and automatic keystone correction ensure sharp images.
    StackCommerce Team (Sponsored), PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The downy also can peck at galls or protrusions on goldenrod plants where insect eggs are lurking.
    Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
  • And this protrusion, where all its ports are located, even lights up with a soft, supple glow of RGB illumination.
    Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Fallon also makes a saucy joke about the bulge in his workout shorts ,as he's seen pulling out a dove that flies away.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
  • After this process, those disks would bulge or depress in response to a magnetic field.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The itinerary here is always evolving, so head to their experiences section to see what’s currently on offer.
    Ariel Okin, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Giveaway Entities’ right to amend these Official Rules, in whole or in part, does not apply to this Arbitration section.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The dome atop Ford Field removes weather as a variable and makes this pick more cut-and-dried than the other three this weekend.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
  • In addition to tree houses, domes, and mirror cabins (tiny homes with floor-to-ceiling windows made of reflective glass), the property atop Whitwell Mountain now offers a spa.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 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
  • Fans desperate to see the game – and other big names, including Mike Tyson and LL Cool J – attempted to break through double doors that opened inward as opposed to swinging outward, and a massive crowd swell rushed toward the entrance.
    Tracy Wright, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Musk, who has become a key adviser to Trump, saw the largest swell of his net worth, which grew almost $21 billion in the day after the election.
    Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Outside, broad overhangs and a covered sitting area offer protection from sun and rain.
    Roxana Popescu, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
  • The latter, designed by Albert Frey, opened in 1965 as an Enco gas station with its dramatic triangular overhang protecting the pumps from the heat.
    Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 24 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near protuberance

Cite this Entry

“Protuberance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protuberance. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on protuberance

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