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
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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
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
Amid explosive fire conditions in southern Utah, the Cottonwood fire has ballooned to more than 144 square miles, damaging a ski resort, forcing evacuations and grounding firefighting aircraft in dangerous winds.
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Ty Oneil,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
After gold was discovered in 1862, the now-small town ballooned to 7,000 residents, with another 25,000 living in the surrounding hills, according to the Idaho City Historical Society.
—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
25 June 2026
Hoyer's announcement instantly launched a crowded race to replace him in southern Maryland’s deep-blue 5th Congressional District, which has ballooned to include more than 20 Democratic primary candidates.
—
Halle Troadec,
ABC News,
23 June 2026
The lowest get-in price on the secondary market for that game ballooned to nearly $4,300 on Seat Geek on Tuesday afternoon.
—
Kellis Robinett,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2026
The costs ballooned, there’s a massive algae bloom, the new paint is peeling off, and dead ducks were found this weekend in and near the water.
—
Amber Phillips,
Washington Post,
23 June 2026
Most importantly, is finding a way to bring down rising energy prices, which have ballooned following conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
23 June 2026
The cost of that renovation, originally estimated at less than $2 million, has since ballooned to almost $15 million.
—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
Verb
The parents of a 7-year-old Michigan boy whose weight ballooned to 255 pounds due to a steady diet of chips, French fries and apple juice are accused of killing their son.
—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
Amid explosive fire conditions in southern Utah, the Cottonwood fire has ballooned to more than 144 square miles, damaging a ski resort, forcing evacuations and grounding firefighting aircraft in dangerous winds.
—
Ty Oneil,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
After gold was discovered in 1862, the now-small town ballooned to 7,000 residents, with another 25,000 living in the surrounding hills, according to the Idaho City Historical Society.
—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
25 June 2026
Hoyer's announcement instantly launched a crowded race to replace him in southern Maryland’s deep-blue 5th Congressional District, which has ballooned to include more than 20 Democratic primary candidates.
—
Halle Troadec,
ABC News,
23 June 2026
The lowest get-in price on the secondary market for that game ballooned to nearly $4,300 on Seat Geek on Tuesday afternoon.
—
Kellis Robinett,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2026
The costs ballooned, there’s a massive algae bloom, the new paint is peeling off, and dead ducks were found this weekend in and near the water.
—
Amber Phillips,
Washington Post,
23 June 2026
Most importantly, is finding a way to bring down rising energy prices, which have ballooned following conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
23 June 2026
The cost of that renovation, originally estimated at less than $2 million, has since ballooned to almost $15 million.
—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballooned
Adjective
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Topuria was a bloody and swollen mess by the time his corner stopped the fight between the fourth and fifth rounds.
-
So who’s going to publish a book at the end of this story of writers with swollen egos?
Verb
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Through 2025, the application backlog increased, leaving it 48% higher than at the end of former President Joe Biden’s term.
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The bank said last week's hawkish Federal Open Market Committee meeting has increased uncertainty over the outlook for short-term interest rates, even as lower oil prices have eased concerns about an economic downturn.
Verb
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The problem was that many of them protruded from the front of vehicles like miniature medieval weapons.
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In his right leg, Adin's tibia bone was broken in half and protruded through the skin.
Adjective
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Fiber slows gastric emptying, making the stomach more distended.
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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.
Verb
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But to diversify its ranks, the Oscars organization has swelled in recent years.
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Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV had encouraged its viewers to follow Vozinha during the match, and the response was immediate — his following swelled to 1 million within minutes of the final whistle.
Verb
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Griffin also poked at the cohosts in the immediate aftermath of Hasselbeck and former View moderator Rosie O'Donnell's legendary on-air fight in 2007, as Griffin was a guest host the following day and brought up the incident numerous times — which annoyed Walters in the moment.
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Late in the third, the Knights seemed to retake the lead after Pavel Dorofeyev poked home a loose puck.
Adjective
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Cover pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer, checking occasionally to make sure water isn’t boiling too rapidly, until matzo balls are very puffed and light in color, 30–40 minutes.
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Bake, 1 baking sheet at a time, in preheated oven until slightly puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes.
Verb
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Shady Alassar | Anadolu | Getty Images Oil rose slightly early Tuesday, fluctuating as investors show cautious optimism about an end to the conflict in the Middle East.
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Humphreys’ coach at the 2024 world championship in Belgium told him his pulse rate rose to 207.
Cite this Entry
“Ballooned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballooned. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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