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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Dissimilar Words
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
The Rockies are likely to eschew a traditional five-man staff, using openers and bulk-inning relievers. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Due to its membership and buy-in-bulk models, Costco has always been the place to get lower prices. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 8 Oct. 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
  • The majority of his night was spent scrambling from a Seahawks defense that pressures the quarterback at the third-highest rate in the league.
    — Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Polls suggest neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition is likely to win a majority alone, meaning the vote may launch Israel’s next political crisis rather than settle it.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of majority
Noun
  • Higher energy density could allow automakers to achieve longer driving ranges without increasing battery size or weight.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Flight imposes strict weight limits, so birds pack enormous numbers of very small neurons into very small brains.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • The places where Baltzor typically ranges her cattle in the mountains were ravaged by record-size wildfires this summer, robbing them of the grass the herds usually eat.
    — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The challenge is that drones vary widely in size, speed, cost, and operating method.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of size
Verb
  • Kim Hong-Cheol, the South Korean military official, said leaving the dispute over the military demarcation line unresolved would increase the risk of accidental clashes because troops from both sides act on their own understanding of the line.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As rain chances increase overnight, the temperature will drop to 40 degrees.
    — Hali Smith October 23, Idaho Statesman, 23 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
  • Investigators found Amy in a separate area with a ligature around her neck and burns covering up to 30% of her body, according to court documents.
    — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Several different types of peptides are naturally found in the body, like insulin and endorphins.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of body
Noun
  • Near-net-shape manufacturing aims to produce components close to their final dimensions, potentially reducing the amount of material removal and additional processing required.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • No prior bubble spanned so many dimensions of the economy simultaneously—GDP growth, consumer spending, equity markets, debt markets, and venture capital all tethered to a single theme.
    — Ming Lu, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of dimension
Verb
  • While the price differential between the two is relatively small, hedge funds often employ large amounts of leverage to further inflate returns.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Fungi can artificially inflate the price by hoarding the phosphorus in their network and then driving the price of it, waiting basically until the plant is able to provide more carbon in return.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of inflate

Phrases Containing bulk

Browse Nearby Words

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 28 Oct. 2026.

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