swell 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of swellnext
1
as in great
of the very best kind what a swell time we had at the country club dance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in happening
being in the latest or current fashion in its heyday as a summer resort, the town was known for its swanky hotels and swell restaurants

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swell

2 of 3

verb

ˈswel How to pronounce swell (audio)
1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the club membership has really swelled in recent months

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to expand
to make greater in size, amount, or number more layoffs will swell the ranks of the unemployed to unprecedented levels

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point at that point the Congo River swells and forms Malebo Pool

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swell

3 of 3

noun

1
as in projection
a part that sticks out from the general mass of something the graceful swell of the bottle was meant to be evocative of the female figure

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wave
a moving ridge on the surface of water huge swells overwhelmed the tiny craft

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swell differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swell are amplify, dilate, distend, expand, and inflate. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

In what contexts can amplify take the place of swell?

The synonyms amplify and swell are sometimes interchangeable, but amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When might dilate be a better fit than swell?

While the synonyms dilate and swell are close in meaning, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

When could distend be used to replace swell?

The words distend and swell are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When would expand be a good substitute for swell?

Although the words expand and swell have much in common, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of swell?

While in some cases nearly identical to swell, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of swell
Adjective
Killer Dana’s demise came with the build-out of the Dana Point Harbor in 1966, a county project that put boat moorings where waves once rolled into shore, the rock jetty blocking the swell energy. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2025 Big surf again for cruisers to or near Bermuda early in the week, some swell into the Bahamas even too. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
In addition to winning over more and more stateside fans every year, the cross-pollinating of Western performers with Korean artists has also swelled significantly, resulting in big-name, culture-crossing collaborations between Jung Kook and Latto or Lisa with RAYE and Doja Cat. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2025 Some nutrients can support your body's natural processes during your period to relax your muscles and reduce swelling. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
The surf that showed up is one of the biggest tropical swells of the year. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025 Learn to ride Portuguese swells from expert instructors in towns like Lagos. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swell
  1. great
  2. happening
  3. increase
  4. expand
  5. protrude
  6. projection
  7. wave
  8. excellent
Adjective
  • For those who are ready to trade in their simple drip coffee set up for something a bit more advanced, Seattle Coffee Gear is a great independent retailer for coffee-brewing appliances and accessories.
    — Melissa Knific, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Being a great place to work is about structure as well as culture, whether the business in question is listed, family-owned or private equity-backed.
    — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • While the overarching trend for fall is still lowest maintenance possible, there's a bit more happening than your typical sunny blondes and balayage brunettes.
    — Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2020
  • What was once a sleepy college town next to a railroad stop is now one of the most happening cities in the state of Texas.
    — Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2018
Definition of happening
Verb
  • That, alongside Newcastle’s desire to spread the fee over multiple years (whereas Como were going to pay in one lump sum), led to Milan increasing their asking price.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Milwaukee is not alone in seeking to implement or increase a wheel tax to raise local revenue.
    — Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • The nursery did well, so Kids Planet began to expand.
    — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The team plans to expand the research to evaluate inhaler emissions in specific patient groups, such as Medicaid recipients, and to compare clinical outcomes of low- and high-emission inhalers in the same therapeutic class.
    — Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • In aircraft design, various components can protrude from the plane’s body and disrupt this smooth airflow, introducing turbulence and increasing drag.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Deputy Thomas Zajac, first on the scene, found Heskett kneeling in the grass near the park’s Old Mill Trail, grasping a pocketknife protruding from his abdomen.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Pittsburgh isn’t far above that projection, but this is the best time of night for most folks.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The idea was first introduced as part of a broader review of the city's five-year budget projections in 2024, when Waukesha officials acknowledged emerging spending gaps.
    — Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of projection
Noun
  • These religious leaders are confronting a wave of violence.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The surge will be accompanied by large and damaging waves.
    — MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • Bader was excellent early Saturday, notching a sacrifice fly to drive in Realmuto and hustling to right-center for a diving catch in the fifth.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Both are excellent places for birding, boating, fishing, hiking, and finding a little peace and quiet.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of excellent

Browse Nearby Words

sweet tooth
swell
swelled
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Cite this Entry

“Swell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swell. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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