bulges

Juts out noticeably

Bulges is the plural of bulge—outward swellings or protrusions from an otherwise flat or smooth surface.

A bag bulges when overstuffed; pockets bulge with keys and coins; eyes bulge in surprise or exertion.

His muscles bulged under the tight shirt.

The Battle of the Bulge was a WWII German offensive that created a bulge in Allied lines.

In slang, bulge refers to the visible outline of male genitals through clothing.

protrusion

bump

Slight collision or protrusion

lumpShapeless solid mass
protuberanceProjection from a surface
swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement

knob · pouch · nodule · prominence · outcrop · ridge · boss · knurl · hump · blister

swelling

distend

Enlarge by pressure within

engorgeFill to distension
inflateFill with gas
puffBrief burst of air

bloat · dilate · expand · balloon · billow · swell · protrude · strain · stretch · tighten

clothing

pocket

Fabric compartment in clothing

waistbandGarment's upper rim
tightFirmly stretched or fitting
strainExcessive stretching force

fabric · silhouette · outline · fitted · snug · visible · underwear · pouch · form-fitting · spandex

muscle

biceps

Upper arm flexors

tricepsThree-headed arm muscle
pecsChest muscles, informally
quadsFront thigh muscles

deltoids · glutes · flex · definition · vascularity · pump · veins · ripped · swole · gains

curve

contour

Bounding line of shape

roundnessState of being curved
convexCurved outward externally
camberDesigned surface curvature

curvature · arc · swell · fullness · undulation · silhouette · profile · outline · shape

Categories

irregularitiesbumps, dents, ridges, grooves, ripples
craft flawscracks, tears, holes, stains, gaps
tire problemsflat tire, blowout, puncture, punctures, bald tire
eye-catchingstriking, conspicuous, noticeable, prominent, eye-catching

Opposites

surface contour/protrusion

bulgesindentations

Recessed marks in surfaces

dents · hollows · cavities · depressions · concavities

volume change/action

bulgescontracts

Enforceable written agreements

shrinks · deflates · compresses · collapses · retracts

Phrases

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

Family

bulge, bulging, bulged

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG