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 bill expands on previous legislation passed banning cell phone use in kindergarten through eighth grade classrooms.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026 -
As Texas–Taiwan semiconductor trade expands, a potential conflict between China and the island could disrupt global supply chains.—
Victoria Baeza Garcia,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When the lights dim and the music swells, the highlight of the day unfolds.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
25 Feb. 2026
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As the arrangement swells, her layers of vocals begin to blend together—one line scatting while another rises in a chant.—
Precious Fondren,
Pitchfork,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals Eating larger meals packed with fiber can be more difficult for the digestive tract to break down, and increases the likelihood of gas and bloating.—
Pamela Assid Woughter,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2026
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This increases processing costs and reduces the effectiveness and efficiency of the recycling program.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Distends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distends. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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