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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Starting in about March and continuing throughout summer, plants release powdery particles as the reproduce that cause people to sneeze, feel congested, cough, itch and swell in the eyes, nose or throat area, according to the Cleveland Clinic. — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 6 May 2026 The sea was calm on the surface of the desk, no wind, no swell, and alongside the bodies only orderly piles of paper. — Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
In the teaser, a lone cello gives way to swelling orchestration as Pascal moves between cavernous stages, recording booths, and the familiar haze of Los Angeles. — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026 Conditions will deteriorate further by midweek as northwest swells increase, the Weather Service said. — Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Noun
The high tides are being influenced by an overall swell in the Pacific Ocean that’s being caused by stormy weather in the Southern Hemisphere. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 For many people busy ferrying their kids to camp or embarking on vacations, summer is a time to let their TV backlog swell. — David Faris, TheWeek, 8 July 2026 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
  • There are good footballers, there are great footballers and then there is Messi, who plays as if he has been sent here from another dimension, a superior life form inside the 5ft 7in frame of a normal guy from Rosario, Argentina.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Healthcare's greatest crisis isn't financial or technological.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • The ship is thoughtfully designed to allow for ample space so guests do not feel overcrowded, even in the most happening spots.
    — Susan Barnes, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
  • 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
Definition of happening
Verb
  • In recent months, drone sightings in Nikopol have increased from two or three per day to about three every hour, day and night, Varytsev says.
    — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Homelessness after incarceration increases the chances that someone will end up back behind bars, at a steep cost to taxpayers.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • The Office of the State Auditor maintained that its interest in a Midland site was based on expanding geographic access to early voting, not dictating the county’s final plan.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Although revenues have expanded substantially, income needs to continue growing rapidly for Newcastle to sustain a higher salary base and regularly sign the best players.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Next, plug the separate, short USB-C cable protruding from the back support bar into the port on the seat's base.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026
  • The small black object protruding underneath the door kept showing up and the woman told her mother about her suspicions.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Meanwhile, eight games into the 2025 season, after the Hurricanes lost twice in a three-game span to fall to 6-2, projections gave Cristobal’s team just a 5% chance to make the postseason field.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • As production volumes escalate, the facility’s footprint is structured to expand dynamically, with projections indicating the creation of up to 300 technical and advanced manufacturing roles to sustain the regional defense industrial base.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
Definition of projection
Noun
  • The first wave of Social Security payments for July is scheduled to be distributed this week.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • SoCal’s housing market growth SpaceX’s record-shattering IPO has unleashed a wave of high-end home shoppers poised to reshape Southern California’s already tight coastal housing markets.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • Rocket is known for its excellent customer service and easy-to-use website and mobile app.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 13 July 2026
  • Bagworm is excellent and I am thrilled Oscilloscope will be bringing this cinematic fever dream to a theater near you.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 July 2026
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 19 Jul. 2026.

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