bulging

adjective

bulg·​ing ˈbəl-jiŋ How to pronounce bulging (audio)
also ˈbu̇l-
Synonyms of bulgingnext
1
: swelling or thrusting out from a surrounding or adjacent surface : protuberant
bulging eyes
bulging muscles
2
: swollen with contents
bulging pockets
a bulging wallet
There were cardboard boxes piled up on the curb along with four bulging black plastic bags.—Sue Grafton

Examples of bulging in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Meanwhile, the green frogs are very interested in what is going on right in front of their little bulging eyes. — Cori Brown, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 11 July 2021 Particularly, the bulging transition from the more upright trapezoidal lower section of the grille to the hood throws us off. — Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 9 Sep. 2022 Belle broke into the most famous flex in Cleveland history, showing a bulging bicep to the Red Sox dugout. — Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2022 Bubbling up and around these walls are 1,062 triangular glass panes shaped to look like a bulging, misshapen geodesic dome. — Kelly Crow, WSJ, 27 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for bulging

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulging was in 1812

Rhymes for bulging

See All Rhymes for bulging

Browse Nearby Words

bulgily
bulging
bulgogi
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bulging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulging. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bulging

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bulging

Nglish: Translation of bulging for Spanish Speakers

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