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
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
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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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swell
The Conversation, 14 May 2025
Some folks obviously will trim their monthly entertainment spend, but if history is a guide, TV and streaming platforms may not take that big a hit — and could even see their subscriber numbers swell.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Greg Iacurci,lorie Konish, CNBC, 6 June 2025
An outbreak of the disease was swelling in Gaines County, a rural community with one of the lowest childhood vaccination rates in the country.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 June 2025
The Conversation, 14 May 2025
There were no other visitors, but up in the gallery, someone was belting out a hymn on the blue and gold organ, charging the space with a swell of emotion.
—Rachel Howard, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
Adjective
In some locations, as many as three or four distinct swell patterns may exist; voyagers distinguish them by size, shape, strength and direction in relation to prevailing winds.
—The Conversation, 14 May 2025
Some folks obviously will trim their monthly entertainment spend, but if history is a guide, TV and streaming platforms may not take that big a hit — and could even see their subscriber numbers swell.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
The ranks of the uninsured would swell as a result of policies that would add barriers to access, raise insurance costs and deny benefits outright for some people, such as certain legal immigrants.
—Greg Iacurci,lorie Konish, CNBC, 6 June 2025
An outbreak of the disease was swelling in Gaines County, a rural community with one of the lowest childhood vaccination rates in the country.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 June 2025
Noun
The helmsman, feeling swells beneath the vessel, gleans the proper heading, even in the dark.
—The Conversation, 14 May 2025
There were no other visitors, but up in the gallery, someone was belting out a hymn on the blue and gold organ, charging the space with a swell of emotion.
—Rachel Howard, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swell
Adjective
-
No putt was more important than his 20-foot par putt up the ridge on No. 9 to finish off a great round the right way.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
-
Regardless of external conditions, customers continue to demand better experiences, more personalized interactions and greater value.—
Andrea Guerzoni,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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
Verb
-
Mahan won his first term as mayor in 2022 with 51.3% of the vote after residents pushed to move the mayoral election to align with the presidential one to increase voter turnout.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2025
-
Tacoma did its own analysis and found that people with a regular housing voucher, and no time limit, actually fared better at increasing their incomes and moving on.—
Jennifer Ludden,
NPR,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
Trump’s memo will go into the history books as a moment when presidential power expanded to put under his control a military force aimed at U.S. civilians.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
-
Stablecoins are often treated as satellites of U.S. monetary policy—dollar proxies that expand liquidity and shore up Treasury demand.—
Jemma Green,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
Alleging an intrusive shed, a protruding carport and sprinkler damage, a Meridian church has taken legal action against a longtime neighbor.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
30 May 2025
-
Using a chemical glove box, a polycarbonate glass box with protruding gloves that shields substances from oxygen and moisture, scientists combined the berkelium metal with an organic molecule containing only carbon and hydrogen to create a chemical reaction.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But fiscal hawks are less enthusiastic about the tax cuts because of the debt projections.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
-
However, with revenue projections for the budget year that begins July 1 dimming in the months since the governor made his proposal, legislators approved some new ideas to bring in more money, including changes that would allow Illinois to tax offshore and out-of-state corporate profits.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
Ever since November, the Reyes family has lived here, beneath tarpaulin and nipa palm, wedged between crashing waves and a coastal highway in northeastern Luzon.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
5 June 2025
-
Students, businesspeople, and even visiting family members were caught in the fallout, prompting protests and a wave of legal challenges.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is an excellent time to invest, pitch a creative idea or spruce up your portfolio.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 June 2025
-
Robin will make an excellent addition to our great Kentucky State Senate Majority!—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swell. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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