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
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 balloon
The cost to ship a standard 20ft container (TEU) on the Shanghai to Gulf and Red Sea route ballooned from $980 before the outbreak of the war to $4,131 in the week to 15 May, according to shipping data provider Clarksons Research.
—
Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 1 June 2026
That wouldn’t change if the CFP ballooned to 48 teams.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
These enclaves emerged as cruise ships ballooned in size and can provide a more private, serene experience away from the ever-growing roster of restaurants, theaters, water parks, and entertainment venues.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026
The result is a costly snowball effect that can cause the total fuel requirement to balloon to absurd proportions.
—Kai James, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 1 June 2026
That wouldn’t change if the CFP ballooned to 48 teams.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026
These enclaves emerged as cruise ships ballooned in size and can provide a more private, serene experience away from the ever-growing roster of restaurants, theaters, water parks, and entertainment venues.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026
The result is a costly snowball effect that can cause the total fuel requirement to balloon to absurd proportions.
—Kai James, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
-
Becerra’s support increased by 9 percentage points in a little more than two weeks when compared with the May 9-10 Emerson results.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
But even on a per-square-foot basis, the price has increased 33%.—
Allison Schrager,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere on the trophy, there are the original rules to soccer, from 1863, which include a proscription on players having nails, iron plates, or gutta-percha—a Malaysian rubberlike material, now used in root canals—protruding from their boots.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
The cups also feature a more angular design, visibly protruding rather than gradually curving.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Supply disruptions have also hit hard in Europe and Africa, where countries are responding to rising fuel costs and a considerable threat to food security.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Airlines have faced rising fuel costs as the conflict in Iran has disrupted global oil supplies and increased energy prices.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch Johnny Carson poke fun at everyone, identify and support up-and-coming comics, entertain with clever and timeless skits, bring on musical guests and tell jokes.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Even Parsons himself poked fun at such notions.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Behind the glass sat a sea-foam green Hermes 3000, a pre-1966 model, instantly recognizable by its bulbous body and soft, swelling curves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
Lucas Mukasa / Anadolu via Getty Images Angry protests swelled Monday, including in the central town of Nanyuki, which is set to host the quarantine center.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Next to her is a bulging Balenciaga mini bag, and a pair of oversized sunglasses on her head are perched atop a mop of jet black curls.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
That expansion can lead to bulging eyes, double vision and related challenges.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
That’s another bill that doesn’t include her name because a Senate version of the legislation, which was designed to accelerate biomedical research, is what eventually passed, Owens said.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
The consumer demand, in both African domestic markets and globally, is documented and accelerating.—
Lisa Curtis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The deal with Curry, who is a household name in China, is expected to further boost Li-Ning’s popularity in the country and help expand the brand’s market share in the US.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
By greatly expanding the dimensions of his images, with their muted palettes, tight cropping, found symmetries, and laconic wit, had the maestro of the photographic epigram betrayed his subtractive aesthetic?—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
