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 discussion comes as driverless robotaxi testing and deployment expands rapidly nationwide, with Austin as a major launching pad.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026 -
Cotie McMahon expands her range As her former program finds its footing without her, Cotie McMahon is showing a different part of her game than existed at Ohio State.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While the number of retirees swells, the pool of workers funding the social safety net — and caring for the aging population — is narrowing.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
7 Jan. 2026
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There's a sort of a natural world religiousness or spirituality or philosophy that swells around a lot of things and different characters.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Red meat likely increases blood pressure due to byproducts from chemical reactions that happen in the liver and gut.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2026
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Being stuck in a state of fight-or-flight increases protective muscle tension, altering movement mechanics, limiting mobility, and increasing the likelihood of compensations that can lead to pain or injury.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Distends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distends. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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