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

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

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 bulge

Noun

Its equatorial bulge produces classical Newtonian forces on satellite orbits that are orders of magnitude larger than the frame dragging signal. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026 Finally, a demographic bulge is producing 74 million retiring Baby Boomers while the number of taxpaying workers fails to keep up. — Jessica Riedl, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

Verb

Okegbe recommends immediately discarding any can that’s bulging, leaking, heavily rusted, or dented. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026 An aneurysm is a weakened or bulging artery wall, and coiling is a procedure used to block blood flow to the aneurysm, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bulge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge

Noun

Testing it myself, the case nearly eliminates the protrusion.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
It was chosen because this animal’s femur lacks a crest or raised bony protrusion – known as a trochanter – where part of the tail musculature would attach.

— The Conversation, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of protrusion

Verb

Anything that protrudes above the shallow, insulating snow cover is more prone to being damaged by the cold and wind or eaten by wildlife, said plant ecologist Anne Bjorkman of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Other animals on-site include a stable full of horses and Cowboy the tortoise, who is about the size of a lawnmower and whose head protrudes from what looks like a Venus flytrap made of bone.

— Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of protrude

Verb

The Fire Department rescued numerous residents who had become trapped by the flames, which were seen bursting from the building, KCTV5 reported at the time.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
The illusion of a beautiful, war-free Dresden, however, would soon burst for these men, going as flat as the champagne bubbles after the wedding of Billy Pilgrim’s daughter.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of burst

Noun

The table then stows away, and the bench cushions rearrange to create a side-facing love seat positioned perfectly for viewing the drop-down projection screen just above the entryway.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
The market opportunity was compelling, and the financial projections were defensible.

— Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of projection

Noun

The negative is that rookie edge Keyron Crawford is out for the year with an ankle injury.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
China continues to rely on Dutch manufacturer ASML for nearly all of its cutting-edge deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, while some DUV systems encounter US export restrictions.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of edge

Verb

Polymarket dropped him like a hot potato, though, once the CFTC began poking into his suspicious Kalshi bets.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026
Seething at his dad for poking at his body insecurities, the comedian dealt with his emotions like any good millennial — by podcasting about it.

— Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of poke

Verb

The monsters of the original — the Cyclops and the sirens — are replaced by drones that buzz across the stage and models of robotic war machines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
And as Forte mentioned, the film is being released amid glowing reviews and very positive audience buzz.

— Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of buzz

Browse Nearby Words

bulbous

bulge

bulged

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Bulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulge. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bulge

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verb

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