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
Enthusiasm for the sport swelled when Lake Placid hosted the 1932 Olympic Games, and under the New Deal, the Civilian Conservation Core helped supercharge the development of New York’s trails and infrastructure.
—
Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
China’s medium-range missile arsenal has swelled from 600 a few years ago to 1,300 today, more than enough to decimate American bases in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Afterward, Tharp joined Copeland on stage, a bouquet of flowers in hand — the first of many, many colleagues and collaborators emerging from the wings to congratulate Copeland, as golden confetti rained down and the pile of bouquets on the stage swelled.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
It was founded in 2021 by a group of former OpenAI executives and researchers, and its valuation has swelled to $183 billion in just four years.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
Since 2019, the official homeless count swelled in Maricopa County by 48%, outpacing the national average and Phoenix's overall population growth considerably.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The crowd in Carlsbad swelled — estimates ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 — with sidewalks packed over a roughly mile-long stretch of Carlsbad Boulevard north from about Tamarack Avenue through Carlsbad Village.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025
When torrential rains hit a swath of Mexico last week, the Cazones River swelled so fast there was virtually no time to flee.
—Cristopher Rogel Blanquet, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Founded in 2021, the company has swelled to around 800 employees.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
China’s medium-range missile arsenal has swelled from 600 a few years ago to 1,300 today, more than enough to decimate American bases in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Afterward, Tharp joined Copeland on stage, a bouquet of flowers in hand — the first of many, many colleagues and collaborators emerging from the wings to congratulate Copeland, as golden confetti rained down and the pile of bouquets on the stage swelled.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
It was founded in 2021 by a group of former OpenAI executives and researchers, and its valuation has swelled to $183 billion in just four years.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
Since 2019, the official homeless count swelled in Maricopa County by 48%, outpacing the national average and Phoenix's overall population growth considerably.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The crowd in Carlsbad swelled — estimates ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 — with sidewalks packed over a roughly mile-long stretch of Carlsbad Boulevard north from about Tamarack Avenue through Carlsbad Village.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025
When torrential rains hit a swath of Mexico last week, the Cazones River swelled so fast there was virtually no time to flee.
—Cristopher Rogel Blanquet, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Founded in 2021, the company has swelled to around 800 employees.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelled
Verb
-
Just as the group’s base as increased to more than 100 people, its gatherings have evolved too beyond BTS visits to the Met.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Since the governor announced the proposal in August, the measure has only increased in popularity among Democrats — receiving support from former President Barack Obama and others.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While oral arguments are typically constrained to an hour—30 minutes for each side—the high court on Thursday ordered that the hearings will be expanded to 80 minutes.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Acquisitions and investments have expanded BHP’s copper operations by nearly 30% in three years and set it up to become one of the world’s largest producers of potash.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
His bones visibly protruded from his thin skin, according to court documents.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Buyers don’t want to be reminded of strong perfumes that resurface certain memories when touring a home, so rose scents of any kind should only be enjoyed after a homeowner is done touring their property.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Expectations further rose over the course of the president’s trip to Asia, sources familiar with the matter told CNN, with the hopes that the deal would produce more than just a low-key touchpoint between the two world leaders.—
Betsy Klein,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Europe has been hungry for a homegrown alternative to Starlink, which dominates the sector — the service has been vital to Ukrainian troops in the war against Russia, and fears of a possible shutdown accelerated Europe’s space ambitions.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
His extraordinary rise has only accelerated over the past 12 months.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Aeration is the process of creating air spaces in a lawn, usually via 3-inch holes poked into the soil at regular intervals.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
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Several poked fun at the moment through lighthearted comments, while others expressed how their own canines also like to fill their days with an abundance of naps.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The 35-year-old Olympic gold medalist has rapidly climbed to the top of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The curious newcomer, likely a recently independent cub, climbed a tree near the perimeter fence — a favorite activity for adventurous young bears — and wandered in from the neighboring 67-acre Sequoia Park forest.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Regular exercise has eased her joint pain, boosted her energy and helped protect her bone health through menopause.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Cooler-than-expected inflation data boosted investor optimism that the Fed will keep cutting rates to help the economy.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelled. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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