1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the number of students who stay home sick balloons every winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the paper bag ballooned and blew away as the wind lifted it skyward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balloon
This time at the top of the fourth quarter, when Brown inexplicably sat both Brunson and Towns simultaneously, comfortably nursing a lead that had ballooned as large as 14 points.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Since Karvunidis’ party in 2008, the concept of a gender reveal has ballooned, morphing into something nearly unrecognizable.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026
Organizers of the Boston race would prefer a more pleasant experience for their runners, even as the field has ballooned from 15 in 1897 to as many as 38,000 to meet demand for the 100th edition in 1996.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
At the youth levels, participation is still ballooning.
—Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Since Karvunidis’ party in 2008, the concept of a gender reveal has ballooned, morphing into something nearly unrecognizable.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026
Organizers of the Boston race would prefer a more pleasant experience for their runners, even as the field has ballooned from 15 in 1897 to as many as 38,000 to meet demand for the 100th edition in 1996.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
At the youth levels, participation is still ballooning.
—Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
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The list of measures in the statement touches on ties that China had suspended in recent years as tensions increased.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Crews also removed a wooden timber debris screen in front of one of the dam's gates to help increase water flow through it.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Her right hand gripped the scissors with the round finger holes embedded in her palm and the pointed end protruding from her fist.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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Shards of glass and ceramic, rusted metal, medical and bio-waste, syringes, cracked circuit boards, and broken electronics protruded everywhere.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As truck prices have risen, that tax has become a barrier to investing in newer, safer and cleaner vehicles.—
Andrew Stasiowski,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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The price of gas has risen more than 30% since the start of the war.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Paul, who co-created the Apple TV+ series and drew from season one for the musical’s script and score, performs a dexterous trick, poking fun at the form’s many ridiculous tropes with an unmistakably affectionate hand.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
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Anderson says the magic lies in Gray’s willingness to poke fun at himself.—
Rachel Ventresca,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Fed’s balance sheet swelled again during the pandemic recession, as central bankers acted decisively to stabilize markets and soften the blow to the US economy.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
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Flooding along the Fox River in Illinois has remained a concern for several days as the river has continued to swell following heavy rains last week.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But a fair number of Mudryk’s attempts end up bulging the roof of the net with power and precision, and very few are saved.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Tar Heel pipeline isn’t exactly bulging with the kind of coach the UNC job could attract.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Brett Bruen, a former Obama administration diplomat, said Israel’s increasingly close alignment with one party risks accelerating that dynamic.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
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The main engines, each producing more than a half-million pounds of thrust, accelerated the rocket past the speed of sound in about a minute-and-a-half.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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The debate is playing out in Wyoming, a state where many data centers have popped up, including new plans for Microsoft to purchase 3,200 acres of land to expand its data center footprint.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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