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
As Wikipedia’s editor ranks swelled, the site codified guidelines such as prioritizing neutrality and flagging unsupported claims for removal, Ramjohn says.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 15 Jan. 2026
OpenAI has raised billions of dollars from venture capitalists, and its valuation has swelled to $500 billion.
—Ashley Capoot,kate Rooney, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
Soon, the margin swelled to 24.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
DeRozan passed Kevin Garnett for 22nd on the NBA’s all-time scoring list while helping Sacramento amass a lead that swelled to 25 points in the second half.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
As the population swelled, the Uji was joined with the Yodo and Katsura Rivers to create a network of canals for the transport of goods, expanding the shogun’s economic reach and power.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
Student enrollment at Epic had swelled to 60,000 students in 2020-21, the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, and the school employed more than 1,600 teachers that year.
—Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
As protests against Iran’s government swelled significantly in size on Thursday night, the regime responded in many places by opening fire.
—Roxana Saberi, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The number of Texas football portal entrees swelled to 22 Tuesday with the announcements that edge rusher Zina Umeozulu and receiver Jamie Ffrench announced their intentions to transfer.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 15 Jan. 2026
OpenAI has raised billions of dollars from venture capitalists, and its valuation has swelled to $500 billion.
—Ashley Capoot,kate Rooney, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
Soon, the margin swelled to 24.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
DeRozan passed Kevin Garnett for 22nd on the NBA’s all-time scoring list while helping Sacramento amass a lead that swelled to 25 points in the second half.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
As the population swelled, the Uji was joined with the Yodo and Katsura Rivers to create a network of canals for the transport of goods, expanding the shogun’s economic reach and power.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
Student enrollment at Epic had swelled to 60,000 students in 2020-21, the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, and the school employed more than 1,600 teachers that year.
—Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
As protests against Iran’s government swelled significantly in size on Thursday night, the regime responded in many places by opening fire.
—Roxana Saberi, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The number of Texas football portal entrees swelled to 22 Tuesday with the announcements that edge rusher Zina Umeozulu and receiver Jamie Ffrench announced their intentions to transfer.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelled
Verb
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The Wolverines increased their lead to 42 with less than a minute left in the fourth.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
And while famine has not yet emerged, food insecurity has increased, with most Cubans eating a limited diet and skipping meals.—
Joseph J. Gonzalez,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The popular chicken restaurant has been in operation for more than 70 years and expanded to eight different states, but it is still recognized as a Chicago staple.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The restaurant group, which includes a large catering operation, has steadily expanded over the years, boasting eight other locations in San Diego and Orange counties, including its flagship restaurant, the more than16-year-old Cucina Urbana in Bankers Hill.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
His bones visibly protruded from his thin skin, according to court documents.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rizzi even rose to associate head coach for two years prior to leaving the Dolphins after the 2018 season.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Additionally, the December survey showed that respondents’ expectations of losing their job rose to the highest mean probability since April 2025, while the probability of those voluntarily quitting dropped to the lowest rate since July 2023.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 1979, critical military defections accelerated the fall of the monarchy.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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The race to commercialize perovskite technology has accelerated rapidly in recent years.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Open Book author has previously poked fun at the tuna gaffe.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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Scott Adams, who kept cubicle denizens laughing for more than three decades with Dilbert, the bitingly funny comic strip that poked fun at the absurdity of corporate life, before racist remarks got him pink-slipped, died Tuesday.—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Idaho Home Learning Academy launched in 2016 with about 250 students and has climbed to nearly 8,000 students.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Jan. 2026
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Beef prices climbed almost 16% over that span.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 2026 Golden Globes winners have boosted front-running contenders in an awards season already filled with Hollywood excellence.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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But this is a Martha Stewart production boosted by the expert medical insight of a top dermatologist.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelled. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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