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
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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
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Recent Examples of balloon
In 2024, de minimis trade has ballooned to nearly 4 million packages each day, reaching nearly 1.4 billion the whole year.
—
Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
That 31-28 Houston edge ballooned to 42-30 in less than four minutes.
—Bob Harkins, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
The dispute over the proxy voting matter had ballooned into a full-fledged rebellion last week.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
In return, the state agreed to allow the company to recoup from ratepayers the cost of the plant, which had ballooned to almost six billion dollars (roughly fifteen billion dollars in today’s money).
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
That 31-28 Houston edge ballooned to 42-30 in less than four minutes.
—Bob Harkins, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
The dispute over the proxy voting matter had ballooned into a full-fledged rebellion last week.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
In return, the state agreed to allow the company to recoup from ratepayers the cost of the plant, which had ballooned to almost six billion dollars (roughly fifteen billion dollars in today’s money).
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
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Tesla has increased North American sourcing for parts of many models over the last two years, which would decrease tariff exposure for the E41, two people aware of the matter said.—
Abhirup Roy,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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Those unused hours can, however, be converted to service credit to increase their government pensions.—
Melody Gutierrez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Those bulges protruding like alien offspring are potato, dozens of layers stacked and compressed into golden squares with crisp edges.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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When the mannequin’s arm came off in the scout’s hands – bones protruding – ol’ Elmer became a nationwide mystery.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Iconic sportswear and footwear giant Adidas said Tuesday that the price of all its products will rise in the U.S. due to President Donald Trump's tariffs.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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But merely knowing that housing today is less affordable than in 1950 tells us little about why home prices have risen.—
Caleb Petitt,
National Review,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Antetokounmpo poked the ball away from Nembhard briefly and a scramble ensued, but the Pacers came up with the ball.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Underneath, a dress in a nearly identical shade poked through slightly, and the actress paired her all-gray attire with black pumps and a matching purse — plus her signature blonde bob, of course.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One patient had brain swelling and developed a cyst caused by radiation.—
Frieda Klotz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Apr. 2025
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Almost 4 in 10 Americans said neither party is fighting for people like them, as pessimism for both major parties swells, according to a survey released Friday.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Varicose veins are swollen, bulging veins that usually occur in the legs and can be visible just beneath the skin.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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She’s also seen with her eyes severely bulging, sometimes wearing only a gray bathrobe and without her trademark wig.—
Claudia Rosenbaum,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In November 2024, the renowned pastor suffered a massive heart attack while delivering a sermon on stage at the church, which was a frightening moment that, according to church insiders, accelerated long-standing plans for succession.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
27 Apr. 2025
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This topic has been brewing for a while, and was accelerated by the injury conversation.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For 2024, the list was expanded to 450 companies and looked at their emissions between 2020 and 2022.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Read: The Last of Us and the power of video games One of the best things about the TV adaptation has been its ability to expand past the limits of the game’s storytelling.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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