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
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 swelled
In 2024, the value of Asymmetric’s liquid book swelled from roughly $195 million to $395 million, a person familiar with the firm’s finances told Fortune.
—
Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
The Cybertruck’s angular design was divisive, and the attention-grabbing vehicle occasionally became the target of ridicule and vandalism when a backlash against Musk swelled last year.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The cost of the system has swelled from single-digit millions to nearly $40 million and rising — at a time when the health fund is running $50 million deficits.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
His band often swelled to more than 30 members (including backup singers and dancers) and featured two bass guitars and two baritone saxophones.
—Ian Brennan, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
Monthly trading volume on Kalshi and Polymarket, the two largest prediction markets, swelled from about $2 billion in early 2025 to $23 billion as of March.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The portfolios of that latter group, meanwhile, have been swelled by a rising stock market and rising home values, outcomes that may not be entirely replicable for younger generations.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
When the Pios’ offense finally awoke in the third period against Wisconsin — DU is a rattlesnake that patiently waits to strike — belief swelled.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Still, a day later her leg swelled dangerously with what’s called compartment syndrome, in which blood flow becomes built up and stunted in a certain area and causes immense pressure.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
The Cybertruck’s angular design was divisive, and the attention-grabbing vehicle occasionally became the target of ridicule and vandalism when a backlash against Musk swelled last year.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The cost of the system has swelled from single-digit millions to nearly $40 million and rising — at a time when the health fund is running $50 million deficits.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
His band often swelled to more than 30 members (including backup singers and dancers) and featured two bass guitars and two baritone saxophones.
—Ian Brennan, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
Monthly trading volume on Kalshi and Polymarket, the two largest prediction markets, swelled from about $2 billion in early 2025 to $23 billion as of March.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The portfolios of that latter group, meanwhile, have been swelled by a rising stock market and rising home values, outcomes that may not be entirely replicable for younger generations.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
When the Pios’ offense finally awoke in the third period against Wisconsin — DU is a rattlesnake that patiently waits to strike — belief swelled.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Still, a day later her leg swelled dangerously with what’s called compartment syndrome, in which blood flow becomes built up and stunted in a certain area and causes immense pressure.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelled
Verb
-
The stopout population keeps growing overall, even as annual stopouts have declined and reenrollment has increased, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Overtime increased by 65% between 2019 and 2024 alone, the study said.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Most eateries have expanded outdoor seating.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The candy’s original logo had three balloons to represent Airheads' first three flavors — cherry, watermelon and strawberry — but as the company expanded the varieties, it was changed to a balloon mascot, known as Oscar.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shards of glass and ceramic, rusted metal, medical and bio-waste, syringes, cracked circuit boards, and broken electronics protruded everywhere.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Or if a finger was so sliced open that the bone protruded.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The consumer price index rose by a slower-than-expected 1% from a year ago, as domestic demand remained under pressure.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
-
In other dealings, gold and silver prices rose on Tuesday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The rise of white-collar work made a college degree the expected path, and offshoring and free trade agreements through the turn of the century only accelerated that shift, leaving trade roles increasingly scarce.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Demand accelerated after the 2007–08 financial crisis, as money managers sought more sophisticated risk analysis tools.—
byDebbie Carlson,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Officers poked a hole in the bag and found the elder Ordonez's body.—
Annasofia Scheve,
San Antonio Express-News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Back in February 2025, Duff poked fun at her daughter Mae, mixing some mischief in her Valentine's Day post.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dozens climbed into the cargo bay.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Its stock has climbed about 274% in the last year, in part because it has long been seen as an acquisition target.—
Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This delignification step boosted porosity above 93 percent, exposing a dense network of reactive surfaces inside the channels.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
-
That has boosted this year’s domestic box office revenue, which is up 26% from the same period last year, according to Comscore.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelled. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
