bulk 1 of 2

noun

ˈbəlk How to pronounce bulk (audio)
Definition of bulknext
1
as in majority
the largest part or quantity of something agriculture makes up the bulk of the country's economy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weight
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts the cookie lost a few crumbs, but the bulk of it remained

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in size
the total amount of measurable space or surface occupied by something due to its bulk, we were unable to get the enormous bookcase into the back seat of the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

bulk

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to increase

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2
as in to bloat

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

The words mass and volume are common synonyms of bulk. While all three words mean "the aggregate that forms a body or unit," bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous.

the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers

Where would mass be a reasonable alternative to bulk?

While in some cases nearly identical to bulk, mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind.

a mass of boulders

When could volume be used to replace bulk?

The words volume and bulk are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating.

a tremendous volume of water

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 bulk
Noun
To get the look for yourself, Demeterio recommends avoiding boxy tees that add bulk. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2026 The fleece lining adds warmth without extra bulk, and the outer polyester material is water-resistant to protect against rain and snow. — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
Add shredded chicken to bulk it up further, or finish it with a dollop of sour cream, some fresh cilantro, or a bit of shredded cheese. — Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026 Just bulk those puppies out, stop wasting your time. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulk
  1. majority
  2. weight
  3. size
  4. increase
  5. bloat
  6. body
  7. dimension
  8. inflate
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the majority of peaceful protesters joined a march that moved toward northwestern Paris.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The ruling party needs a majority of at least 61 seats out of 120 in the Knesset.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of majority
Noun
  • Lockheed Martin lists its maximum takeoff weight at 164,000 pounds, with a standard maximum payload of 46,700 pounds.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Poetic economy means fewer words must carry more weight and convey more meaning.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • Several bills have been introduced to give cities direct authority to limit AV fleet sizes, restrict operating hours, or enact local permit bans within municipal limits.
    — Andrew Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Much of that comes down to, again, the randomness that's part of small sample sizes.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of size
Verb
  • To increase supply, the International Energy Agency agreed on Thursday to release more than 20 million barrels of fuel to the market.
    — Arathy Somasekhar Reuters, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Preparing multiple missions Manufacturing more rocket hardware will not increase launch frequency unless teams can prepare several missions simultaneously.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • The 11 Plus doesn’t bloat the OS with too many unnecessary apps.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 27 Sep. 2026
  • This had the effect of causing the star to bloat into a red giant.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of bloat
Noun
  • His son, Gal Meir, was killed in Gaza in December 2023, during an operation to recover the bodies of two Israeli hostages.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
  • She was treated at hospitals in Ramallah and Israel for lacerations across her body, a broken rib and four broken vertebrae.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of body
Noun
  • Rather than cram more transistors onto a single layer of silicon, Huawei is stacking chips in three dimensions.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Full-scale, 10-foot Hulk standins helped actors and camera crews judge his dimensions on set, and even his pants required careful attention.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dimension
Verb
  • When ownership isn’t clear, or a third party controls an essential brand asset, the problem can inflate during due diligence.
    — Michael Gargiulo, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Earnings can remain strong as bubbles inflate, and in a downturn, stock prices typically begin to fall several months before earnings do.
    — RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of inflate

Phrases Containing bulk

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bulging
bulk
bulked
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Cite this Entry

“Bulk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulk. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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