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

With the bulge-bracket firms the clear winners, choosing a VC has become simpler. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 14 July 2026 His was a bulge that burst in a man under 50, without the decades of arterial wear that killed the senator. — Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Verb

This duality isn’t immediately obvious in the woman who greets me at her door in New York City with a bulging plastic bag of breakfast food and a wide, open smile. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026 At the end of his second-round match against Hubert Hurkacz, an eye-bulging celebration followed a relentless performance against a very tricky opponent. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bulge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge

Noun

Moments later, Jay is trapped inside, surrounded by gooey protrusions of undulating flesh.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Despite their pointy protrusions, the sculptures are not spiky enough to leave a mark; and despite their flirtations with touchy subject matter, none of the works—not even the 9/11 ones—are vulgar enough to get Wolfson in hot water.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of protrusion

Noun

Ohio polling raises questions Advertisement As polling consistently shows an advantage for Acton, Republicans are increasingly arguing that the polls may be wrong by just enough to give Ramaswamy the win.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Firms that know exactly where the line sits hold quiet advantages their competitors cannot purchase or replicate.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of advantage

Verb

But on Monday, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan likened many of the investors drawn to the AI boom to gamblers and questioned the economics of AI labs as Wall Street debates whether the AI bubble will burst.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Seven months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, explosions burst through two Nord Stream gas pipelines – Russia’s controversial gas highway into Europe – in the waters between Sweden and Poland.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of burst

Noun

The team used projections of emissions throughout the life cycle of batteries used for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage through 2050.

— Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
By 2045, in some projections, a plurality of English readers will live in China.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of projection

Noun

Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The eastern edge of the park is the north-south alley that serves businesses along Laramie.

— Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of edge

Verb

Some, including the Idaho Potato Commission, swear that the way a baked potato is opened affects the texture, eschewing a knife for a fork to gently poke a plus sign into the surface.

— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
From ceviche and poke to pasta and tacos, the menu revolves around the catch of the day, which is sourced from local markets.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of poke

Verb

By morning, firefighting aircraft were back in the air dropping water on the Bryson fire in Malibu while the sound of generators purchased by outage-weary residents and business owners buzzed through the canyons.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Matières Fécales and Christian Louboutin’s shoes have been receiving some celebrity buzz lately.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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