1
as in increased
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the club membership has really swelled in recent months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in expanded
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 protruded
to extend outward beyond a usual point
at that point the Congo River swells and forms Malebo Pool
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swelled
Haynam’s lawsuit came as scrutiny of Kersten’s leadership swelled in the wake of the Dexter Reed shooting in March 2024.
—
Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
The scandal swelled after British media reported a trove of emails between Mandelson and Epstein, in which the veteran Labour politician expressed support for his friend, despite the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Since then the Mavericks’ business office size has swelled to more than 200 employees.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 2 Feb. 2026
After a peaceful march to the Georgia State Capitol that swelled into the hundreds, protestors returned to the area around the Centennial Olympic Park and CNN Center, where some confronted police, who sprayed some demonstrators with pepper spray.
—Ernie Suggs, AJC.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Both student sections swelled to more than 125 and provided jovial chants throughout the contest.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Anger swelled again in August 2024 after the Detroit Free Press broke the story locally that the landfill was preparing to take 6,000 cubic yards of soil and concrete with elevated radioactivity from the Niagara Falls Storage Site in Lewiston, New York.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But Peacock’s losses swelled to $552 million in the fourth quarter as the streaming service absorbed the expense of NBC’s NBA TV rights agreement and an exclusive NFL game.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
The crowd swelled to more than 2,000 as the day wore on.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
The scandal swelled after British media reported a trove of emails between Mandelson and Epstein, in which the veteran Labour politician expressed support for his friend, despite the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Since then the Mavericks’ business office size has swelled to more than 200 employees.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 2 Feb. 2026
After a peaceful march to the Georgia State Capitol that swelled into the hundreds, protestors returned to the area around the Centennial Olympic Park and CNN Center, where some confronted police, who sprayed some demonstrators with pepper spray.
—Ernie Suggs, AJC.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Both student sections swelled to more than 125 and provided jovial chants throughout the contest.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Anger swelled again in August 2024 after the Detroit Free Press broke the story locally that the landfill was preparing to take 6,000 cubic yards of soil and concrete with elevated radioactivity from the Niagara Falls Storage Site in Lewiston, New York.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But Peacock’s losses swelled to $552 million in the fourth quarter as the streaming service absorbed the expense of NBC’s NBA TV rights agreement and an exclusive NFL game.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
The crowd swelled to more than 2,000 as the day wore on.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelled
Verb
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That figure is used to determine the league’s cut, which for all local TV deals has since increased from 34% to 48%.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, the average new car payment has increased by $300, or more than 35%, since then to $769.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their co-parenting dynamic has expanded now that the supermodel, 45, welcomed a baby boy with husband Joaquim Valente in early 2025.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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That seems to be the strategy at Bote, a Floridian inflatable watercraft company that's expanded out into inflatable lounge wares, including on-water hammocks, portable furniture and, now, sunshades.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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However, blood was pouring out of Good’s left ear immediately after the shooting, and tissue protruded from the left side of her head, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported last week.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Spider-y lash extensions protruded from her lash line, reaching to the bottom of her brows; a thin wing of black liner was drawn from the outer corners of her eyes.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Eagle numbers rose significantly first in the 1990s, then continued to increase.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Alcoholic Sparkling Wines For Valentine’s Day Do Epic Sh*t sparkling wine now comes in a 'pretty in pink' rose as well, available at the end of January 2026.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Missouri Automobile Dealers Association CEO Doug Smith said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the move to online car shopping and pushed dealers to offer home delivery of vehicles and other perks aimed at making things faster and easier for consumers.—
Summer Ballentine,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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But talks accelerated after the Rays re-engaged in the middle of last week.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This is not the first time Cornyn has poked fun at Paxton’s romantic history.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The Jacksonville incident poked at the tension.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Point Loma Nazarene’s women’s basketball team improved to 14-4 and climbed back on top of the PacWest Conference standings with a 10-2 mark after beating Azusa Pacific (80-55) and contender Vanguard (59-57) last week.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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Silver and platinum prices have also climbed alongside gold, reflecting broader investor interest in hard assets.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The victories have boosted the party's hopes of winning control of the House in November's midterm races.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
2 Feb. 2026
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Analysts at KeyBanc Capital Markets upped their price target on the stock this week and kept their buy recommendation, in part due to an acceleration at AWS, boosted by a recent deal with OpenAI.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelled. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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