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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
His abdomen became distended, and his behavior changed — enough to concern caregivers.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
His abdomen became very hard and distended.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
According to a July 2025 update, Elliot’s abdomen was very hard and distended.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Boxing scenes in movies, other than in a handful of classics, tend to start to look all the same, a mishmash of beads of sweat and blood and jowels distended, all fists flying and battering as two men catapult and careen across the ring.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
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
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
In his songs, the English language turned woolier and more expressionistic; musical space-time distended and stretched.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
His abdomen became distended, and his behavior changed — enough to concern caregivers.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
His abdomen became very hard and distended.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
According to a July 2025 update, Elliot’s abdomen was very hard and distended.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Boxing scenes in movies, other than in a handful of classics, tend to start to look all the same, a mishmash of beads of sweat and blood and jowels distended, all fists flying and battering as two men catapult and careen across the ring.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
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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This story begins 3,500 years ago in ancient Egypt, where an extract from the corms and seeds of the Mediterranean or autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) was used for treating rheumatism and swollen joints.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
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Plus, thanks to their more open thong-style straps, these sandals make a great choice for those prone to swollen feet or who might need roomier options.—
Aashna Gheewalla,
PEOPLE,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Becerra has since won endorsements from influential labor groups and Latino state leaders, and his once anemic fundraising has swelled.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
The popularity of Dry January has swelled.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Efforts have picked up in recent years to limit ownership, including in Utah, where its Republican governor, Spencer Cox, signed a bill into law that expanded previous foreign restrictions.—
Gabe Kaminsky,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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Brazil’s criminal organizations Comando Vermelho and Primeiro Comando da Capital have expanded aggressively across the Amazon over the past decade and now dominate key trafficking corridors linking coca-growing regions in Colombia and Peru to Atlantic ports used to ship cocaine to Europe.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
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California alone spent $24 billion in 5 years fighting homelessness, yet the number of homeless increased.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
Greek food has always been on the menu at Skippers, but the demand for it has increased over time.—
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Verb
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In a forthcoming paper, Miran will argue along with two Fed economists that recent software inflation has been artificially inflated by technical factors, distorting headline and core numbers.—
Matt Peterson,Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
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If the amount looks unfamiliar or inflated with fees and interest, requesting that the debt be validated could make sense.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The paintings are constructed, a collage—a tree moved, enlarged, reduced as the composition requires.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
Floor Decor recently enlarged its operation here.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distended. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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