balloons

verb

present tense third-person singular of balloon
1
as in increases
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the number of students who stay home sick balloons every winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in protrudes
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 balloons Cut with a curved outer seam that balloons slightly through the thigh before tapering at the ankle, the shape is all about creating volume. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025 The mid-rise jeans have an exaggerated barrel silhouette that balloons out at the knee and tapers into a wide-leg fit at the ankle. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025 The specter of inflation will only reappear if the Fed balloons the money supply. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloons
  1. increases
  2. protrudes
  3. rises
  4. pokes
  5. swells
  6. bulges
  7. expands
  8. bags
Verb
  • Airport officials say the new design increases the distance between the terminal and the nearest runway, currently as little as 257 feet, soon to be about 880 feet, bringing the airport into compliance with FAA standards.
    — Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Firejet production also increases Beyond collaborative combat aircraft, the expansion will increase production of Kratos’ Firejet family of aerial target systems.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
Definition of increases
Verb
  • These are more likely to cause painless rectal bleeding or tissue that protrudes during a bowel movement.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Part of it protrudes from the exterior, with natural airflow helping keep the food inside chilled.
    — Adam Williams March 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of protrudes
Verb
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
  • As cyber insecurity rises and trust declines, protecting brand perception becomes a critical, measurable part of managing operational risk.
    — Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of rises
Verb
  • The second is a vent which pokes out above your clothes, to move warm air away from you.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Perched on a finger of land that pokes into Lebanon, Metula is usually crowded with tourists this time of year.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Definition of pokes
Verb
  • Top officials appear as the crowd size swells Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, a 97-year-old Shiite cleric, led the prayers at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla mosque for the late Khamenei and family members killed in the strike.
    — Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Most people only hear about it when a lymph node swells during a cold, or when a social media video promises a gua sha stone will detox their face.
    — Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026
Definition of swells
Verb
  • According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a brain aneurysm is a weakened area in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of bulges
Verb
  • As the sun expands, gravitational tides act like a subtle brake, slowly draining Earth's orbital energy and pulling the planet inward.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 July 2026
  • The package expands the Air Force’s layered defenses against small unmanned aircraft.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
Definition of expands
Verb
  • Drizzilicious took their already-craveworthy birthday cake mini rice cakes and added a patriotic twist with their America’s 250 Anniversary Edition bags.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
  • Give your hefty designer bags a break from the sand and swap in this summer-friendly alternative instead.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Definition of bags

Browse Nearby Words

ballooning
balloons
ballot
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Cite this Entry

“Balloons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloons. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of balloons for Spanish Speakers

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