dilate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dilate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dilate are amplify, distend, expand, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

When is amplify a more appropriate choice than dilate?

In some situations, the words amplify and dilate are roughly equivalent. However, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When can distend be used instead of dilate?

The words distend and dilate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

Where would expand be a reasonable alternative to dilate?

Although the words expand and dilate have much in common, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of dilate?

The synonyms inflate and dilate are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When would swell be a good substitute for dilate?

The words swell and dilate can be used in similar contexts, but swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

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 dilate Here, instead, everything is more dilated in time and there are fewer things on your schedule. Billboard Italy, Billboard, 16 May 2025 The research adds that simultaneously, a cold plunge can improve circulation by dilating the blood vessels—a win for cardiovascular health, if done regularly. Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 16 Apr. 2025 Several tests allow ophthalmologists or optometrists to make a diagnosis: Fundus exam: Part of the standard eye exam, the healthcare provider uses special drops to dilate your pupils. Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025 Before the procedure, your eye doctor will use eye drops to dilate your pupil and numb your eyes to reduce discomfort. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilate
Verb
  • The effect is to both collapse and distend time until all the souls in the book, most of them nameless anyway, exist at the same time, in the same place, forever.
    Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Isaiah was also malnourished and dehydrated at the time of his death, with his small and large intestines markedly distended.
    Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2017
Verb
  • Ukraine claimed to have shot down or neutralized 475 of the 537 drones and missiles fired, though Ukraine and Russia are known to inflate the effectiveness of their air defense capabilities.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025
  • The backlog has inflated the jail population by 13%, pushing it from 6,722 on Feb. 15 before the strike began to 7,605 as of Thursday, Vera Institute records show.
    Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • That starts with understanding customers' needs, using agents to augment the work sellers do and then providing sales coaching on the go with a closed-loop learning system.
    Anand Shah, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Edwards and Lopez flipping positions has augmented Miami defensively, and Edwards has continued to hit (.283, .358 on base).
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Provider taxes States can boost federal Medicaid contributions to their states through what's known as a provider tax, often levying taxes on health care providers, which raises the overall cost of a service and therefore increases the portion reimbursed by the state.
    July 1, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • The legislation is the signature priority of President Donald Trump, extending the 2017 tax cuts, adding billions to border security and increasing defense spending.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • In the last five years, the company has worked to expand internationally, with budding sectors in global markets including Latin America and the United States.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 July 2025
  • Weeks later, the BBC expanded Frediani’s empire to include News at One.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • It was enlarged over succeeding pontificates to its present size of 55 hectares (136 acres), bigger than Vatican City itself.
    Dario Artale, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • Thus, a subject that in standard Texas histories is often relegated to ongoing competitions among Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, Jews, Lutherans, Mormons and others, has been enlarged to encompass a wider range of interests.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • After the game, there seemed to be bruising and swelling around it.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 July 2025
  • The common symptoms include swelling of lymph nodes, fever, tiredness, night sweats, weight loss, and itchy skin.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Whether through the Deloitte Global FoF framework or others, leaders can benefit from taking a structured approach to investing in smart operations and to accelerating the convergence of IT and OT.
    John England, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Tatum’s injury accelerated the inevitable, as the Celtics offloaded Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday in an attempt to drop out of the dreaded second apron.
    Jared Weiss, New York Times, 8 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilate. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dilate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!