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
Trump has been pressuring the Fed to lower interest rates as a way to save financing costs on the nation’s ballooning national debt.
—
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Oklahoma City quickly called a timeout, but the pause did not stop the onslaught, with its deficit quickly ballooning to 28 within minutes.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2025
By 2024, the annual deficit had ballooned to $1.8 trillion, or 6.4% of GDP.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
But the parade feature was added in recent months, ballooning the budget by tens of millions for the already large-scale event and leaving planners for both the city and military scrambling to prepare.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Oklahoma City quickly called a timeout, but the pause did not stop the onslaught, with its deficit quickly ballooning to 28 within minutes.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2025
By 2024, the annual deficit had ballooned to $1.8 trillion, or 6.4% of GDP.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
But the parade feature was added in recent months, ballooning the budget by tens of millions for the already large-scale event and leaving planners for both the city and military scrambling to prepare.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
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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
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Exports to America fell a staggering 16 percent and increased elsewhere by only 2.9 percent.—
Stephen Marche,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The first-gen roam the mainland naked because of the idea that their clothes disintegrated long ago, and their appearances are characterized by veins that protrude from their body in revolting knots.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 June 2025
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After making sure the point is protruding slightly from one side of the bait, take the extra few seconds to remove scales all around the point.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Today, however, the Yellowhammer State has seen a run of artists mixing Southern rock and country rise from the independent ranks to the mainstream.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
28 June 2025
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Foodborne illnesses can spike in the summer months, especially given the higher temperatures and rise in outdoor dining like picnics and cookouts.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Progress with Canada has been a roller coaster, with the U.S. president poking at the nation’s northern neighbor and repeatedly suggesting it would be absorbed as a U.S. state.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
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Johnson immediately returned to social media Wednesday night to post a series of rambling videos discussing his arrest and seemingly poking at Rogan without addressing him directly.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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LoPresti said southern flannel moths sting through venomous hairs that can cause burning, numbness, swelling, and in severe cases, nausea or full-limb inflammation.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2025
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As of Wednesday, the number had swelled to 1,218, according to the ACLU of Southern California.—
Jenny Jarvie,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
Verb
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In every photo, Tater's eyes bulged with what can only be described as pure joy.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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Originally misdiagnosed with a bulging disk, a surgeon discovered a spinal fracture during McQueen’s time off this season, and got him on a proper healing regimen.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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This can accelerate aging and increase the risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 June 2025
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India’s space ambitions have accelerated under Modi, who was elected to a third term last June and has tried to assert India’s place on the global stage.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Weeks later, the BBC expanded Frediani’s empire to include News at One.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
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Romanticize your sleep with Tekla’s dainty bedding Since launching in 2017, Tekla has expanded from bedding into sleepwear, bathroom sets, and more.—
Stephanie Sporn,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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