as in dilating
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Dissimilar Words
as in soaring
Related Words
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
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Recent Examples of ballooning
Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The nearly six-week-long war in Iran may be occurring thousands of miles away from NATO headquarters, but its impacts are reverberating throughout Europe in the form of ballooning fuel prices and the risk of energy shortages.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The state has been consistently strapped for cash over the past two years, driven in particular by ballooning Medicaid costs.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballooning
Noun
As the district has sought to make immediate cuts to stave off a ballooning deficit, officials must also plan ahead to cut spending through 2028, when the shortfall is expected to reach more than $300 million.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The nearly six-week-long war in Iran may be occurring thousands of miles away from NATO headquarters, but its impacts are reverberating throughout Europe in the form of ballooning fuel prices and the risk of energy shortages.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
The second of those, still ballooning in South Carolina, is over 875 cases and counting.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The state has been consistently strapped for cash over the past two years, driven in particular by ballooning Medicaid costs.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballooning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballooning
Noun
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Within a few years, two partners started another express delivery company — Wells Fargo — to push farther west as the Gold Rush sent California's population soaring.—
Nancy Cutler,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been at a near-standstill for weeks amid the Iran war, sending prices of oil and other key goods soaring.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Adrian Meyer, Christie’s global head of private sales, outlined one idea for the increasing popularity of the sales channel.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Highlighting the industry’s growing needs, demand for highly functional textile solutions is increasing across sectors, driven by rising investment in security, defense and disaster response.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The center point is perhaps what looks like a gigantic mountain with two 'spikes' protruding from its peak, like the antennae on an insect.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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Her right hand gripped the scissors with the round finger holes embedded in her palm and the pointed end protruding from her fist.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Symptoms can include abdominal pain or discomfort, blurred or double vision, dilated pupils, dizziness, drooping eyelid, dry or sore throat, facial muscle paralysis, nausea or vomiting, swollen belly, and trouble swallowing and speaking.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This week, the moon will be visible gliding silently through the daytime sky from today (April 22), up until the next full moon phase on May 1.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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Perfect for children’s bedrooms and play spaces, these favorably reviewed linen-blend curtains feature grommets for effortless gliding and breezy stripes in 27 colors that are equally kid- and grownup-friendly.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s why David Gallo’s setting, a vista of a fragile boarding house nearly consumed by the rising, sun-blotting, industrial landscape of Pittsburgh, works so effectively here.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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After a faulty cooling system was left to disrepair, rising temperatures resulted in an explosion with the equivalent force of 70-100 tons of TNT.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Martha Stewart, however—perhaps the least likely superstar to do so—is poking holes in that fantasy, giving us an iconic new selfie that feels wildly relatable to anyone familiar with the mayhem of getting ready.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
24 Apr. 2026
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Paul, who co-created the Apple TV+ series and drew from season one for the musical’s script and score, performs a dexterous trick, poking fun at the form’s many ridiculous tropes with an unmistakably affectionate hand.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Whereas Vaslav’s unorthodox looks infatuated many people, hers (protuberant teeth and lips, stocky body, flat chest, powerful thighs) alienated many.—
Alastair Macaulay,
The New York Review of Books,
29 Dec. 2022
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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
Cite this Entry
“Ballooning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballooning. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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