bulged
Pushed visibly out
Bulged is the past tense of bulge, describing something that swelled, protruded, or pushed outward beyond its normal surface or boundary.
Eyes bulge when someone is shocked or straining; pockets bulge when overstuffed; muscles bulge during exertion.
His eyes bulged when he saw the bill.
The suitcase bulged with souvenirs.
The word conveys sudden or noticeable expansion, often suggesting pressure from within.
Extended abruptly outward
- projectedCast outward or forecast
- protrudedThrust outward past surroundings
- swelledIncreased in volume
- poppedExploded with sound
stuck out · pushed out · thrust · bagged · ballooned · bellied · billowed · pouched
Increased in volume
- inflatedExpanded with gas
- expandedMade larger or wider
- puffedFilled with air
- bloatedSwelled from excess
engorged · tumescent · puffy · turgid · plumped · distended · dilated · enlarged
Filled beyond capacity
- crammedOverfilled or overstuffed
- brimmingFull to the top
- packedFilled to capacity
- burstingBreaking from internal pressure
overflowing · overloaded · strained · stretched · gorged · chock-full · jam-packed · fit to burst
jutted
Extended abruptly outward
- projectedCast outward or forecast
- protrudedThrust outward past surroundings
- swelledIncreased in volume
popped · stuck out · pushed out · thrust · bagged · ballooned · bellied · billowed · pouched · bowed
swelled
Increased in volume
bloated · engorged · tumescent · puffy · turgid · plumped · distended · dilated · enlarged · thickened
stuffed
Filled beyond capacity
bursting · overflowing · overloaded · strained · stretched · gorged · chock-full · jam-packed · fit to burst · straining
bulgedcontracted
Reduced in size
shrank · compressed · deflated · shriveled · constricted
- bulging eyesAbnormally protruding ocular organs
- Battle of the Bulge1944 Ardennes forest offensive
- bulging discSpinal cushion protruding outward
- tidal bulgeGravitational water displacement toward moon
- disc bulgeSpinal cushion protrusion