ballooning 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of ballooningnext
as in dilating

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Dissimilar Words

ballooning

2 of 3

noun

as in soaring

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ballooning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of balloon
1
as in increasing
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 protruding
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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ballooning
Noun
Moscow has progressively drawn down the readily-fungible assets of its National Wealth Fund to cover wartime expenses and ballooning budget deficits. — Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The wildfire has grown just as rapidly, ballooning to 358,000 acres across Owyhee and Malheur counties as of Wednesday. — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
The two candidates also are offering differing solutions for the country’s struggling health system, ballooning public debt and entrenched corruption. — Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 The two candidates also are offering differing solutions for the country's struggling health system, ballooning public debt and entrenched corruption. — CBS News, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ballooning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballooning
  1. dilated
  2. soaring
  3. increasing
  4. protruding
  5. protuberant
  6. gliding
  7. rising
  8. poking
Adjective
  • CT scans showed a full stomach, suggesting the boy had feasted before the sacrificial ceremony, as well as a dilated esophagus consistent with vomiting.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Mutations in genes encoding cardiac myosin, for instance, can lead to cardiomyopathies, including hypertrophic and dilated forms, which affect the ability of the heart to pump blood effectively.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of dilated
Noun
  • The group began its massive run as hyperscalers accelerated spending on AI data centers, sending demand for memory and storage soaring.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Now, Moderna cofounder Robert Langer has re-entered the billionaires club following promising cancer vaccine trials that sent the company’s stock soaring.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of soaring
Verb
  • While increasing volumes of the oil are finding routes out of the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, keeping energy prices elevated and pushing up global inflation.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Alternatively, perhaps Arsenal’s actions are driven by an increasing pressure to sell.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of increasing
Verb
  • Tropical Hibiscus Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), as the name suggests, is native to tropical climates in Asia and produces dramatic, vibrant flowers that can grow up to 6 inches in diameter with protruding stamens.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Akhenaten, who may have been the boy-king’s father, was depicted in artwork as having wide hips and a protruding belly, which stood out from portraits of other Egyptian royalty.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of protruding
Adjective
  • Lu, who has protuberant light brown eyes, small black ears and a floppy tongue, loves to snuggle with her four-legged foster siblings and stretch out in the sun, according to the contest website.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • And the rear of the case is deeper to accommodate a protuberant rear camera—hinting that the next iPad will see a big camera upgrade.
    — David Phelan, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2022
Definition of protuberant
Noun
  • Visitors especially enjoy paragliding and hang-gliding in the area, as well as canoeing and hiking all around the Valley.
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 28 July 2026
  • And in 2022, Ristroph studied the surpassingly complex aerodynamics of what makes a good paper airplane—specifically what is needed for smooth gliding.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026
Definition of gliding
Verb
  • Global demand has also shrunk significantly with rising prices, helping to balance the oil market and get oil to the customers who need it.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • First, rising yields due to better nominal economic growth are typically tolerated more readily, since nominal GDP growth is a primary driver of corporate profits.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of rising
Verb
  • But Vicki immediately goes past Meredith Marks (disengaging) to Amanda Frances (opening her laptop and working), even as the others try to earn their paychecks by poking at her.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Milk Stage of Kernels Check the kernels on an ear by poking it with your fingernail.
    — Danielle Ernest, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of poking

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ballooning
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Cite this Entry

“Ballooning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballooning. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ballooning

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ballooning

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