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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
Even better, these ribbed, cable-knit, and pleated designs don’t add bulk beneath early-fall jackets. — Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 Over the four decades to 2020, China lifted the vast bulk of its population out of poverty, and in 2021 leader Xi Jinping declared that extreme poverty had been eliminated. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 18 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
  • Democrats must decide whether to take the deal in front of them or, possibly with a congressional majority next year, craft a version more to their liking that may be met with staunch GOP opposition and, thus, gridlock purgatory yet again.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • While the majority of shoppers are Latino, particularly Mexican, Palomino said the market’s appeal extends to other communities as well.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of majority
Noun
  • How long can a country punch above its weight before someone needs to check the scales?
    — Jan Larsson, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • According to the National Institutes of Health, different eating plans can support weight loss, but the most effective approach depends on a person's individual health needs, preferences and ability to maintain the habits long-term.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • Leaning into its history, Kessler has outfitted the hotel with installations that channel the Jurassic period, including life size dinosaur skeletons and fossils, backlit in a range of bright colors, displayed throughout the walls.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Compared to legacy platforms, the SSCs feature core design enhancements that increase payload size and speed, while streamlining the number of operators and logistics, such as extending the time between overhauls.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of size
Verb
  • Over the next three years, Movistar Plus plans to increase its annual output of Spanish originals from eight to 16 series, alongside another 10 titles through co-production and rights acquisition agreements.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The GroundBreaker 1 selection comes as the Department of War places increasing emphasis on rapidly fielding autonomous and robotic systems capable of operating alongside warfighters.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 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
  • Its members are independent producers, with no studios, conglomerates or state bodies involved.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Yet no official body seems to have been in charge of vetting them.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of body
Noun
  • While the Chiefs add another dimension to their offense, the league generally could use a little tightening up on that side of the ball.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Other details may include a description of the image, its physical dimensions, the repository that holds it, and the subjects associated with it.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of dimension
Verb
  • Kellermeyer is one of a number of companies referenced in lawsuits filed in recent months that accuse funds managed by some of Wall Street’s biggest names of inflating their marks, often to increase their own payouts.
    — Ellen DiMauro, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Patients lose out because the administrative bloat inflates the cost of medical care, while making costs less transparent and harder to contest.
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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