as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the curtains in the open windows billowed in the summer wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of billow
Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2025
Smoke from the Palisades Fire billows out over the ocean on January 8.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2025
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Lady Gaga’s Grammys look—a super-spooky Vivienne Westwood couture gown with a billowing black train—might be a sneak preview of the Mayhem era to come.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for billow
Noun
The 5 to 8 inch mounded plants can do front of the border duty, serve as groundcovers or billow over hanging baskets.
—Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2025
Smoke from the Palisades Fire billows out over the ocean on January 8.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
What To Know Thick, dark plumes of smoke billowed into the sky while dozens of fires burned along the roadway.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Lady Gaga’s Grammys look—a super-spooky Vivienne Westwood couture gown with a billowing black train—might be a sneak preview of the Mayhem era to come.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for billow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
Noun
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Well Walmart gapped down after reporting earnings and that sparked a wave of selling on Wall Street.—
Adam Sarhan,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Depending on the formula, ingredients like polymers and powders create lift and definition—perfect for everything from soft waves to slick backs—while humectants keep your hair hydrated for a glossy, smooth finish.—
Siena Gagliano,
Allure,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Its most significant physical feature is a segmented tread protruding from its back, and extending to the front of its face.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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In September 2024, suspect Ryan Routh, 59, was detained after Secret Service agents spotted a rifle protruding from a bush while Trump was playing on the golf course.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Garrett McNamara is the center of the story, a pioneering big-wave surfer who searches the world for monster swells and discovered what’s become one of the most fearsome surfing breaks in the world, in the unlikely place of Nazaré, Portugal.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
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Typically, however, Oscars winners are given about 45 seconds to speak before a signature swell of music begins to play, encouraging them to wrap up and make their way off the stage.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC News,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Offerman also poked fun at himself with quips about his monotone voice and his appearance.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
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Read more Adrien Brody gives powerful Oscar speech after Best Actor win The worst Super Bowl ads of 2025 Hulu's Oscars gaffe, email error sparks anger During the ceremony, Oscars host Conan O'Brien poked fun at the Dune star's outfit color choice.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Early foldable phones bulged out of my pant pockets, and looked chunky in the hand.—
Ben Sin,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
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On the field, Orozco was successful in her first season before missing last year due to the aforementioned bulging disc.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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