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
That city has swelled in recent weeks with people fleeing the Israeli invasion in the country's south, which has displaced more than a million people.
—
Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
The ranks of Americans that can add guac to their burrito bowl guilt-free have swelled.
—Sam Klebanov, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
The crowd at the encampment swelled to 500 or so people by the afternoon of May 15.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
Let rise at room temperature until swelled and puffy, 5 hours.
—Emily Teel, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2026
When the company was in production, the building swelled with hundreds of employees, including personnel from Kelvin Optical, its in-house visual effects company.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
The groups, whose numbers have swelled in recent years, now form an essential backstop for city officials' efforts to try to keep this city of more than 8 million residents clean and presentable.
—Tim Craig The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026
Two-zip begat 10-1, which led to 16-5, that swelled to a 16-point lead at the half and ballooned at one point to a 30-point lead.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Formed in 1949, the alliance initially included 12 countries, but has swelled to 32 members.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
The ranks of Americans that can add guac to their burrito bowl guilt-free have swelled.
—Sam Klebanov, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
The crowd at the encampment swelled to 500 or so people by the afternoon of May 15.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
Let rise at room temperature until swelled and puffy, 5 hours.
—Emily Teel, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2026
When the company was in production, the building swelled with hundreds of employees, including personnel from Kelvin Optical, its in-house visual effects company.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
The groups, whose numbers have swelled in recent years, now form an essential backstop for city officials' efforts to try to keep this city of more than 8 million residents clean and presentable.
—Tim Craig The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026
Two-zip begat 10-1, which led to 16-5, that swelled to a 16-point lead at the half and ballooned at one point to a 30-point lead.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Formed in 1949, the alliance initially included 12 countries, but has swelled to 32 members.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelled
Verb
-
The agency late last year also increased the number of citable violations from five — including fare evasion, eating or drinking onboard, smoking, or incorrectly using a discount ticket — to 25.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities have increased 91% — from 78 in 2015 to 149 in 2025.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Liability protections for officers and directors were also expanded.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Under the leadership of former CEOs, including the late Thomas Storrs and Hugh McColl, Gentry was part of a team that expanded the bank far beyond North Carolina’s border.—
Chase Jordan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Or if a finger was so sliced open that the bone protruded.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Big, waxy flowers called lobster claws protruded from thick stalks.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Charlotte home prices rose slightly in February compared to the same time last year, although certain neighborhoods had significant swings up or down, according to the latest data from the real estate site Redfin.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Utah is at the heart of what’s been called the Sagebrush Rebellion, which rose during the Reagan era to challenge the prevailing management of federal lands, and, indeed, the entire idea of federal lands.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His play on the field has only accelerated his rise.—
PJ Green
April 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
When officers attempted to catch up, the driver, identified as a 19-year-old, allegedly accelerated away from police.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wrencher said Russell once tied her to a chair, poked her with a knife, and threatened to burn the house down, the son said.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Both characteristics were on full display when Drasner hit the local airwaves with a television commercial that promoted The News and poked fun at one of its upstart rivals.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After this, Strouble climbed off Lambert's body, smoked a cigarette, and drove to Lambert's parents' house, prosecutors said.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The average federal student loan balance has climbed to about $39,075 per borrower.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rodman, too, has plenty of brand deals, including Adidas, Oakley and Red Bull, so will also see her annual income boosted.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Getafe boosted its chances of playing in Europe next season after beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at home for its sixth win in its last eight league matches.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelled. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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