as in expanded
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1
as in increased
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the number of students who stay home sick balloons every winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in protruded
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the paper bag ballooned and blew away as the wind lifted it skyward
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ballooned
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
The Timberwolves started 8 of 13 from 3-point range, posted a 40-point first quarter and ballooned their lead to 17 points late in the second quarter before a lackadaisical start to the second half.
—CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Private credit, which are generally direct loans made by non-bank lenders to companies, have ballooned into a roughly $3 trillion market globally.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
But when the Federal Reserve aggressively increased interest rates in 2022 and 2023, the cost of GVA’s loans ballooned, eating up cash flow at the properties.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
That run, of course, eventually ballooned to 11 games.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
The Iowa Electronic Markets helped plant the seed for the modern-day prediction market companies that have ballooned into a multibillion-dollar industry, offering contracts on everything from the Super Bowl to the number of times Elon Musk will post on X in early February.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Chastain is a partner at Duro today, and the company has ballooned to 400 employees.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Idaho’s total population ballooned, for the first time hitting 2 million people in December 2024, the state’s Department of Labor reported.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
The margin ballooned to 15 early before Dutcher made some halftime offensive adjustments that led to a 49-point second half.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
The Timberwolves started 8 of 13 from 3-point range, posted a 40-point first quarter and ballooned their lead to 17 points late in the second quarter before a lackadaisical start to the second half.
—CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Private credit, which are generally direct loans made by non-bank lenders to companies, have ballooned into a roughly $3 trillion market globally.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
But when the Federal Reserve aggressively increased interest rates in 2022 and 2023, the cost of GVA’s loans ballooned, eating up cash flow at the properties.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
That run, of course, eventually ballooned to 11 games.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
The Iowa Electronic Markets helped plant the seed for the modern-day prediction market companies that have ballooned into a multibillion-dollar industry, offering contracts on everything from the Super Bowl to the number of times Elon Musk will post on X in early February.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Chastain is a partner at Duro today, and the company has ballooned to 400 employees.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Idaho’s total population ballooned, for the first time hitting 2 million people in December 2024, the state’s Department of Labor reported.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballooned
Verb
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In addition, there will be increased Tactical Marine Unit and Aircraft Operations Division operations along the border to detect and apprehend criminals, according to the governor’s office.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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The number of serious attacks increased from 54 in 2023 to 83 in 2024 and 128 in 2025.—
AREF TUFAHA,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Big, waxy flowers called lobster claws protruded from thick stalks.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
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However, blood was pouring out of Good’s left ear immediately after the shooting, and tissue protruded from the left side of her head, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported last week.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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By December, her condition had worsened—a pain in her abdomen had emerged as well as more swollen lymph nodes—and she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that affects a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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Consuming turmeric can relieve swollen and painful joints for people with chronic conditions.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The scandal swelled again after the DOJ released photos in January that appeared to show Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a woman or girl lying on the floor.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Cowgirls could manage only three free throws in the third period and Allen’s lead swelled to 31-17 going into the fourth quarter.—
Ishmael Johnson,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Just before halftime, Hoffmann poked a loose ball ahead to midcourt, beat a Vernon Hills player to the ball and raced to the basket for a layup to give the Rams a 21-13 lead.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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Later, outside of Guthrie's home, Tucson resident Lupita Tello poked the dirt with a sharp metal rod soldered to a handle.—
Helen Rummel,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Global private credit fundraising rose in 2025 , although the pace of growth slowed from the previous year.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Hendrick’s has been something of an outlier in the gin category since it was founded more than 25 years ago—a Scottish gin that was built around two specific botanicals, rose and cucumber, something that was pretty unusual at the time.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The surrounding metropolitan area has similarly bulged.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Even pre-Covid, his pockets bulged with hand sanitizer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The distended episodes were littered with what feels like filler, little of which offered much in the way of narrative value.—
Emma Flint,
IndieWire,
25 Nov. 2025
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Once per act, a second duo crashes in on Didi and Gogo, providing the tramps’ power balance with a lurid, distended foil.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ballooned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballooned. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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