as in swollen
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure
bees with abdomens distended with honey are less apt to sting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in swelled
to make or become larger especially because of pressure from inside
The illness can cause the stomach to distend.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distended
Emma Flint, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025
Once per act, a second duo crashes in on Didi and Gogo, providing the tramps’ power balance with a lurid, distended foil.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Following too much pasta or one too many sweet treats, my stomach gets quite sensitive—resulting in a feeling of tightness and a distended, rumbling tummy.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 20 May 2025
Bloating causes your belly to feel full and look distended.
—Kathleen Felton, Health, 9 June 2024
But for all its brawn and atmosphere and robustly choreographed combat, this is a distended historical tapestry too sprawling to remain compelling, particularly when its focus veers away from the central couple.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The fragile skeleton of her ego threatened to snap under the pressure of the animal forces that pressed down on her consciousness, her narrative mind sagging and distended beneath pitiless and grandiose feeling.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
In the last 20 days, their belly will appear distended, and their nipples and breast tissue will be noticeably swollen.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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
Once per act, a second duo crashes in on Didi and Gogo, providing the tramps’ power balance with a lurid, distended foil.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Following too much pasta or one too many sweet treats, my stomach gets quite sensitive—resulting in a feeling of tightness and a distended, rumbling tummy.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 20 May 2025
Bloating causes your belly to feel full and look distended.
—Kathleen Felton, Health, 9 June 2024
But for all its brawn and atmosphere and robustly choreographed combat, this is a distended historical tapestry too sprawling to remain compelling, particularly when its focus veers away from the central couple.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
My stomach wasn't distended anymore.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The fragile skeleton of her ego threatened to snap under the pressure of the animal forces that pressed down on her consciousness, her narrative mind sagging and distended beneath pitiless and grandiose feeling.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
In the last 20 days, their belly will appear distended, and their nipples and breast tissue will be noticeably swollen.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distended
Adjective
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By December, her condition had worsened—a pain in her abdomen had emerged as well as more swollen lymph nodes—and she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that affects a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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Consuming turmeric can relieve swollen and painful joints for people with chronic conditions.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The scandal swelled again after the DOJ released photos in January that appeared to show Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a woman or girl lying on the floor.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Cowgirls could manage only three free throws in the third period and Allen’s lead swelled to 31-17 going into the fourth quarter.—
Ishmael Johnson,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Initially created to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, the board has since expanded to address conflicts worldwide.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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In 1998, the firm expanded into furniture with Mario Bellini’s revolutionary Bellini chair, which was awarded the prestigious Compasso d’Oro design award in 2001.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition, there will be increased Tactical Marine Unit and Aircraft Operations Division operations along the border to detect and apprehend criminals, according to the governor’s office.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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The number of serious attacks increased from 54 in 2023 to 83 in 2024 and 128 in 2025.—
AREF TUFAHA,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ahead of its official launch, the Tokyo Air Jordan 11 Retro is commanding premium aftermarket prices, although some of the asking prices may not be as inflated as expected.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Some fuel-efficient driving tips include accelerating slowly, keeping your speed relatively steady and making sure your tires are properly inflated.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to Aston’s official press release, aero enhancements include a grille that’s been enlarged 13 percent over the previous flagship.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
10 Feb. 2026
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Jamian’s contribution, enlarged, also hangs as a banner outside.—
Emma Allen,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distended. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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