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

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

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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
With milder gum disease, your gums may become a darker, redder color, swell, and bleed. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 29 May 2025 Towns has been swell when healthy, laying down Patrick Ewing numbers in points and rebounds. —Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
McCausland said her symptoms first appeared during her early teens: leg pain, swelling and bruising from the slightest touch. —Francesca Gilbard, NBC news, 10 July 2025 The woman had swelling and bruising to her face, bruising throughout her body, bite marks, a left rib fracture and other injuries, according to charging documents. —Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
Large swells generated by Flossie will cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico, and the Baja California peninsula during the next few days. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025 There are a variety of signs on the ocean to know the right direction, such as visible land masses, heavenly bodies, swells, and winds. —ArsTechnica, 26 June 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
  • This is a place where costumes do a lot of heavy lifting, and Cady is a great example, her wardrobe shows us what is happening to her inside.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • This is a great UFC fight card that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 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
  • The Reserve Bank of India has increased its gold holdings by 35% in the last five years, according to Solomon Global.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
  • In a LinkedIn post, Farley called for speeding up permitting processes, increasing spending on vocational training, leveraging robotics and augmented reality to help with these spaces and suggested an AmeriCorps-type program for these roles.
    — Breana Noble, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Although the company is actively adapting—expanding into energy storage, changing billing models, and tweaking its supply chain—investors continue to be concerned about the pace and effectiveness of these strategic adjustments.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • To expand its financial services sector, the BVI is developing an International Arbitration Center, positioning itself as a premier destination for international dispute resolution.
    — Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Nearby, police found another pitbull, Lucky, in a wet kennel that was bound shut with five leashes, her hip bones protruding.
    — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025
  • Their feet protrude, white and enormous, from their grey-green uniforms like tree-branches from which the bark has been stripped.
    — Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Their current 53-38 record is in the bank, however, and most projection methods give them an 80%+ chance to make the postseason.
    — Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • The maximum projection surface is 4 meters and all the controls are done by three simple buttons on the base of the projector.
    — Alexander Cox, Space.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of projection
Noun
  • This week's move higher triggered a big wave of short liquidations.
    — Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • The superlative, not-for-newbie waves and the beach’s isolation make for extraordinary adventure.
    — AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • The hiding spot seemed like an excellent spot for avoiding the sun and potential predators, but Fowler didn't feel quite the same.
    — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Performance has also been excellent so far compared to peers and a benchmark index.
    — Jesse Pound, CNBC, 11 July 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 22 Jul. 2025.

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