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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Grier, however, retired a few days before training camp and later was hired to be an offensive assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys, where Grier spent a bulk of his NFL career. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026 The airy design is easy to toss in the washing machine and instantly refreshes your bed without adding bulk. — Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 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 the patch’s family-friendly activities are open during the festival, save for its corn maze.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Yet the company excluded the majority of those harms from its public reports, designing its metrics so that many of the worst encounters were never captured.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of majority
Noun
  • Some look at a 69-68 record and disagree, but Crane’s is the only opinion that carries any weight.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Intermittent fasting is a popular dietary approach that many people follow to manage their weight.
    — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • Critics have said the size of the gap stems in large part from Connecticut’s lack of investment in special education, which is meant to reduce those disparities as much as possible.
    — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
  • By submerging coal in a variety of fluids, Franklin was able to measure the typical size of its holes, as well as the amount of variation.
    — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of size
Verb
  • There are also increasing concerns that the Russia-Ukraine war could escalate, amid reports that CIA chief John Ratcliffe have made a secretive Moscow trip to warn Russia against attacking NATO.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Friday starts dry in the Twin Cities with clouds and temperatures increasing through the afternoon.
    — Joseph Dames, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • This had the effect of causing the star to bloat into a red giant.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • This works for simple queries, but as the data grows and tasks get more complex, context starts to bloat and quality quietly drops.
    — Chhaya Methani, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of bloat
Noun
  • The eight-member body oversees McCuskey’s work and consists of four Democratic and four Republican legislators, including Keicher.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than just a reproductive issue, endometriosis is a whole-body condition, affecting everything from emotional regulation to hormone production and gut health.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of body
Noun
  • The Star ordered The sweet vanilla ice cream was balanced out with savory olive oil and salt ($6) and gave a traditional ice cream much more dimension.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Dessens of every dimension — and all the other major characters, for that matter — are not the most colorful bunch, and the sober tone of the early episodes, such as the slate-gray Chicago winters, could have an unwelcome heaviness.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of dimension
Verb
  • Republican response But conservatives said those policies inflated enrollment by attracting fraudulent and wasteful coverage.
    — Christine Mai-Duc, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court convicted Hui, also known as Xu Jiayin, and Evergrande of engaged in large-scale financial fraud in inflating the group’s assets and concealing its liabilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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