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
Moisture swelled the film, allowing more oxygen to sneak through.
—
J. Carson Meredith, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
The score from The Princess Bride swelled as Reiner’s onetime (or sometimes multiple-time) actors turned to face him and pay their final respects.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Every time the men performed it, the crowds swelled.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
In contrast, health care is a labor-intensive industry that’s become more central to the economy as baby boomers retire; the number of people collecting Social Security swelled by more than 2 million last year alone.
—Conor Sen, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
In contrast, health care is a labor-intensive industry that’s become more central to the economy as baby boomers retire; the number of people collecting Social Security swelled by more than 2 million last year alone.
—Conor Sen, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
The number of 24/7 livestreams created per year swelled by about 3,000% between 2019 and 2025, Mauldin’s data show.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The room swelled with hooting and clapping as Samson Fellows climbed onstage.
—Hazlitt, 11 Mar. 2026
In contrast, health care is a labor-intensive industry that’s become more central to the economy as baby boomers retire; the number of people collecting Social Security swelled by more than 2 million last year alone.
—Conor Sen, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
J. Carson Meredith, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
The score from The Princess Bride swelled as Reiner’s onetime (or sometimes multiple-time) actors turned to face him and pay their final respects.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Every time the men performed it, the crowds swelled.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
In contrast, health care is a labor-intensive industry that’s become more central to the economy as baby boomers retire; the number of people collecting Social Security swelled by more than 2 million last year alone.
—Conor Sen, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
In contrast, health care is a labor-intensive industry that’s become more central to the economy as baby boomers retire; the number of people collecting Social Security swelled by more than 2 million last year alone.
—Conor Sen, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
The number of 24/7 livestreams created per year swelled by about 3,000% between 2019 and 2025, Mauldin’s data show.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The room swelled with hooting and clapping as Samson Fellows climbed onstage.
—Hazlitt, 11 Mar. 2026
In contrast, health care is a labor-intensive industry that’s become more central to the economy as baby boomers retire; the number of people collecting Social Security swelled by more than 2 million last year alone.
—Conor Sen, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelled
Verb
-
Claude’s daily active users have also increased by more than 140% since January, according to data from SimilarWeb.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In a decade, spending on street outreach increased by more than 1,000% — now exceeding $300 million a year — while unsheltered homelessness increased by 22%.—
Barbara A. Blair,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
It had been renamed and expanded in size roughly a year ago from a previously existing treatment facility as part of the Taliban government's efforts to stamp out a significant drug addiction problem in the country.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Pho Foodie, a Vietnamese restaurant that’s currently in Bowie, expanded to North Laurel with a March 1 soft opening, giving Route 1 a new carryout option.—
Marissa Yelenik,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Big, waxy flowers called lobster claws protruded from thick stalks.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Cleveland rose from mayor of Buffalo to governor of New York to the White House in a few years.—
Jacob Lane The Chicago Tribune,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
That death toll rose this past week.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Each time, the UAE absorbed the shock, adapted, and accelerated.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
BlockFills then began working with an existing investor on a plan to recapitalize the company, but that came crashing down in February as cryptocurrency valuation declines accelerated.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Since then, the president has repeatedly poked at the vulnerability.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Many spectators poked fun at the efforts of Chicago police to confiscate and collect BORGs in viral posts over the weekend.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The suspect then climbed onto the roof of a building at the school, leading to an hours-long standoff.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Vanderbilt climbed six places after reaching the SEC tournament title game.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gildea noted that adding several trains a day on the Waterbury branch boosted ridership by 44%.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Barcelona routed Sevilla 5-2 for its fourth straight league win and boosted its confidence ahead of the second leg of its Champions League last 16 match against Newcastle on Wednesday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelled. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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