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
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Smoke billows following an Israeli strike that targeted a building in the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Paul P. Murphy, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2026
Draping from doorways, light linens billow in the trade winds, and colobus monkeys scamper in treetops overhead.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for billow
Noun
Passersby stared as billows of smoke rose into the air above the White House as part of the home shared by the United States president and his family crumbled to the ground.
—Verb
Video from the port of La Guaira showed a large explosion, followed by billowing smoke, that occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for billow
Noun
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According to court documents, the fraudulent activity occurred in two waves.—
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Her death, captured on camera by multiple bystanders, has captured nationwide attention and sparked a wave of protests.—
Verb
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Route 66 Road Relics With its popping turquoise facade and junk cars protruding from the walls, Route 66 Road Relics is hard to miss.—
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Avoid areas of ice with protruding debris like logs or brush.—
Noun
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Even as the contestants arrive to begin the season, an important rowing portion of today's marooning challenge remains up in the air due to tumultuous swells.—
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Per Sē contrasts the delightfully retro, lipstick-y aroma of orris butter with a fresh, fizzing swell of aldehydes, pink pepper, and bamboo.—
Verb
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The actress hasn't spoken publicly about her dating life, aside from a few TikTok videos poking fun at her singleness.—
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Continue reading … POLITICS POLITICAL THEATER – Vance reposts meme poking fun at Democrats' Jan 6 candlelight vigil.—
Verb
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From self-driving smart trailers with auto-dumping waste tanks to on- and off-road explorers that bulge out in every direction possible to maximize living space, some truly jaw-dropping and inspiring camper vans, travel trailers, large motorhomes and expedition trucks emerged in 2025.—
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According to John Hopkins Medicine, an aneurysm is a weakened or bulging artery wall, and coiling is a procedure used to block blood flow to the aneurysm.—
Cite this Entry
“Billow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billow. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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