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
Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 13 June 2026
Musk’s own net worth has rapidly ballooned in value.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 12 June 2026
As data volumes ballooned, the problem only intensified.
—Scott Fulton, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
His following on the platform ballooned to nearly 3 million people.
—Eric McDaniel, NPR, 11 June 2026
Projects have run years behind schedule, costs have ballooned far beyond original estimates, and multiple developments were abandoned altogether after millions in taxpayer dollars had already been committed.
—Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
As of February, the app’s user base had ballooned to 900 million weekly active users, OpenAI said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 June 2026
The city of Boise paused a water recycling project after its price tag ballooned from $56 million to $750 million.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2026
Those situations — runners in scoring position — ballooned the Royals’ team totals in 2024.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
Verb
The company has ballooned into one of the most valuable private companies on the planet, reaching a valuation of $850 billion earlier this year.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 13 June 2026
Musk’s own net worth has rapidly ballooned in value.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 12 June 2026
As data volumes ballooned, the problem only intensified.
—Scott Fulton, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
His following on the platform ballooned to nearly 3 million people.
—Eric McDaniel, NPR, 11 June 2026
Projects have run years behind schedule, costs have ballooned far beyond original estimates, and multiple developments were abandoned altogether after millions in taxpayer dollars had already been committed.
—Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
As of February, the app’s user base had ballooned to 900 million weekly active users, OpenAI said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 June 2026
The city of Boise paused a water recycling project after its price tag ballooned from $56 million to $750 million.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2026
Those situations — runners in scoring position — ballooned the Royals’ team totals in 2024.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballooned
Adjective
-
The physical exam, the fourth one of his second term came amid public scrutiny around visible bruises, skin discoloration and swollen ankles.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
-
Poor circulation can leave your legs feeling tired, heavy, swollen, and stiff.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Rainbow flick The chances of seeing this skill — some might call it a circus act — being performed at the World Cup this summer increased significantly on the back of Neymar being named in the Brazil squad.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Economic output has also increased, up 24% over the same period, government data show.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
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In his right leg, Adin's tibia bone was broken in half and protruded through the skin.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
The hilt of a sword protruded from his back, snug beside a pack as tight as an angry fist.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Fiber slows gastric emptying, making the stomach more distended.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2026
-
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
Verb
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American ingenuity soon swelled the millionaire class to include titans of tobacco, steel, banking, even refrigerated railcars.—
Chase Peterson-Withorn,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
My calves and thighs often throbbed, my waist ached and my knees swelled.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Her long-term partner, Rich Paul, recently poked fun at his lady love's musical prowess while being interviewed on the Glass Half Full with Craig Melvin podcast.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
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The 14-day relative strength index has also just poked above the 50 level for the first time since late February.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
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.—
Molly Baz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Bake, 1 baking sheet at a time, in preheated oven until slightly puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Two Canada geese and six gangly brown-suède goslings walked among the refuse, while in the near distance the truck horns and the protesters’ chants rose up.—
Ian Frazier,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
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The deal comes after the Consumer Price Index in May rose to its highest level in more than three years, with energy prices accounting for more than 60% of the monthly inflation increase.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballooned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballooned. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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