as in expands
to make or become larger especially because of pressure from inside
The illness can cause the stomach to distend.
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distends
Verb
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The move follows an uptick in deadly attacks across parts of the country, even as the US-Nigeria security partnership expands.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
10 Apr. 2026 -
The film shows Dane's desire for the reauthorization of the ACT for ALS, a 2021 law which grants funding to scientific research and expands access to investigational ALS treatments for people who are not otherwise eligible for clinical trials.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Massachusetts lawmaker is part of a growing chorus of voices in Washington calling for stronger oversight of these betting platforms as interest swells.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
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His longing swells beyond love into obsession.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This increases your visibility to potential rescuers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a letter that a rearview image that doesn’t display properly reduces the driver’s view behind the vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash.—
Michelle Chapman,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Distends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distends. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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