Synonyms of distend

distend

verb

as in to expand

to make or become larger especially because of pressure from inside

The illness can cause the stomach to distend.

Related Words

• expand
• swell
• increase
• dilate
• inflate
• augment
• enlarge
• accelerate
• aggrandize
• extend
• multiply
• develop
• add (to)
• amplify
• elongate
• intensify
• escalate
• lengthen
• stretch
• stoke
• build up
• protract
• prolong
• jump
• skyrocket
• strengthen
• compound
• pump up
• blow up
• enhance
• boost
• up
• supersize
• spike
• heighten
• bump (up)
• draw out
• boom
• raise
• flesh (out)
• complement
• magnify
• reinforce
• supplement
• accumulate
• maximize
• hype
• ratchet (up)
• rachet (up)
• amass
• beef (up)
• collect
• follow up
• parlay

Dissimilar Words

• shorten
• curtail
• abridge
• constrict
• abbreviate
• compress
• condense
• contract
• reduce
• retrench
• cut back
• diminish
• decrease
• lessen
• abate
• dwindle
• lower
• downsize
• subtract (from)
• minify
• de-escalate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb distend differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distend are amplify, dilate, expand, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When can amplify be used instead of distend?

The words amplify and distend can be used in similar contexts, but amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When might dilate be a better fit than distend?

The words dilate and distend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

In what contexts can expand take the place of distend?

Although the words expand and distend have much in common, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of distend?

The meanings of inflate and distend largely overlap; however, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When is swell a more appropriate choice than distend?

While the synonyms swell and distend are close in meaning, swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of distend

Their belly will appear distended during the last 20 days of pregnancy, and their breast tissue will also be noticeably swollen. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

The fear grew when her 1-year-old boy's belly started to distend and his ribs were pressed against his skin. —Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025

The effect is to both collapse and distend time until all the souls in the book, most of them nameless anyway, exist at the same time, in the same place, forever. —Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2025

The pup’s abdomen was firm and distended. —Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025

The Most Exciting New Advances in Managing COPD With another strategy, diaphragmatic breathing, patients concentrate on distending their abdomen while taking in air. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024

Abdominal bloating is when the stomach feels full of gas and may become distended (sticks out). —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Sep. 2024

His stomach was distended — a sign of severe malnutrition. —Joe Snell, Washington Post, 30 July 2024

Isaiah was also malnourished and dehydrated at the time of his death, with his small and large intestines markedly distended. —Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2017

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