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

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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
Infatuated with the sport, Webster moved to Sonoma County in 1973 and began surfing every day in 1975 during a storm swell off the California coast. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025 Someone paying $200 a month could see their bill swell to $350. —Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
The most common issues with the shot were mild-to-moderate local reactions such as redness or swelling at the injection site, affecting about 11% of trial participants. —New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025 Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms involving hives and lip swelling to severe, life-threatening symptoms, often called anaphylaxis, that may involve fatal respiratory problems and shock. —Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
The sight of Morro Rock has greeted countless visitors to this part of California’s Central Coast for centuries, from the European explorers who came to the area enticed by its calm waters, to the modern-day surfers who ride the swells that break outside the bay. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025 While most technology leaders have done their fair share to dispel these myths in favor of AI’s transformative potential, concerns of misinformation, security vulnerabilities and unpredictability still hum beneath the unstoppable swell of AI innovation. —Monish Darda, Forbes.com, 8 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
  • Yet his work does demand greater attention.
    — Mark Holgate, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Europe staged one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history, winning eight matches and halving another to clinch the Cup by half a point.
    — Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 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
  • Federal Supplement Security Income payments would increase for January but those payments would be made at the end of December.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But there is really no reason why this should be the case for Pilates—which consists of different low-impact movements to strengthen your core muscles, increase your flexibility, improve your posture and give you more awareness of your body in general.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Unrivaled Experiences Growth Spurt Unrivaled will expand ahead of its second season with the addition of two new clubs and a development player pool, the league announced Wednesday.
    — Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The panel issued over 100 recommendations, from limiting cash bail for misdemeanors to expanding racial equity training for prosecutors.
    — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Sharks are often imagined cruising just beneath the waves, dorsal fin protruding from the dark, ocean waters to alert people of their incoming doom.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Hammer four nails about an inch apart into a cross shape at the center of your board so that the heads protrude at least an inch.
    — Peter Barrett, Outside, 30 Aug. 2025
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Finally, my projections are meant as broad expectation setters and not a hard ceiling or floor for each player.
    — Murat Ates, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • All of the four projections show an energy mix, as well as dramatic increases in solar and wind.
    — Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of projection
Noun
  • But the new wave of disavowals represents the latest sign that the conflict, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, has become polarizing within the mainstream of the party.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In the Atlantic, a tropical wave is forecast to emerge off the west African coast in the next couple of days.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The openings can keep your feet cool or give you an excellent way to show off some eye-catching socks once the weather get cooler.
    — Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2025.

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