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
American ingenuity soon swelled the millionaire class to include titans of tobacco, steel, banking, even refrigerated railcars.
—
Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
My calves and thighs often throbbed, my waist ached and my knees swelled.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
In 2002, these people gained the right to work and study in the country without a visa, and since then the nation’s population has swelled by nearly two million.
—Jessi Jezewska Stevens, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Anger swelled last month after a medical school entrance exam was voided over a leak, setting millions back in their careers.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 June 2026
Pride swelled as Jimmy saw his nephew in his pilot uniform for the first time.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
Lucas Mukasa / Anadolu via Getty Images Angry protests swelled Monday, including in the central town of Nanyuki, which is set to host the quarantine center.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 2 June 2026
As crowds outside the venue swelled, officials brought in an additional 200 law enforcement officers during the early afternoon.
—Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Battista’s two-run homer in the second inning opened a 3-0 lead that swelled to 5-1 in the third, when the Wolves chased Yorkville ace Gabe Sanders.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
My calves and thighs often throbbed, my waist ached and my knees swelled.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
In 2002, these people gained the right to work and study in the country without a visa, and since then the nation’s population has swelled by nearly two million.
—Jessi Jezewska Stevens, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Anger swelled last month after a medical school entrance exam was voided over a leak, setting millions back in their careers.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 June 2026
Pride swelled as Jimmy saw his nephew in his pilot uniform for the first time.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
Lucas Mukasa / Anadolu via Getty Images Angry protests swelled Monday, including in the central town of Nanyuki, which is set to host the quarantine center.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 2 June 2026
As crowds outside the venue swelled, officials brought in an additional 200 law enforcement officers during the early afternoon.
—Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Battista’s two-run homer in the second inning opened a 3-0 lead that swelled to 5-1 in the third, when the Wolves chased Yorkville ace Gabe Sanders.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelled
Verb
-
There will also be increased MARTA staffing to help manage large crowds on the train platforms, and expansion of the MARTA Hope program which helps riders experiencing mental health crises, substance abuse or homelessness.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
As Korean stocks have surged, their weightings in global and emerging-market benchmarks have increased sharply, forcing many active fund managers to trim positions to stay within portfolio and risk limits, investors told CNBC.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
In the race to replace Phil Serna, epidemiologist and former Sacramento mayoral candidate Flo Cofer expanded her sizable lead over rival and Sacramento City Councilmember Eric Guerra compared to Friday’s returns.—
Reeti Malhotra
June 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
Haiti’s vulnerable ports As Haiti’s armed gangs have expanded and become more powerful, concerns about the security of the country’s seaports have grown.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
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In his right leg, Adin's tibia bone was broken in half and protruded through the skin.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
The hilt of a sword protruded from his back, snug beside a pack as tight as an angry fist.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Not only that, but USC rose to that level in a still-unfinished stadium, without anything resembling the NIL firepower that other college baseball teams, particularly in the SEC and ACC, are wielding.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
In total, Fort Worth ISD’s number of graduates who met CCMR criteria rose from 3,772 during the 2022-23 school year to just over 4,000 for the 2023-24 school year.—
Samuel O’Neal
June 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The Islamic Republic of Iran has accelerated its executions of dissidents and activists, with the true number of victims likely obscured by the regime’s internet censorship and blackout.—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
-
Ohtani, of course, has accelerated this process.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Her long-term partner, Rich Paul, recently poked fun at his lady love's musical prowess while being interviewed on the Glass Half Full with Craig Melvin podcast.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
-
The 14-day relative strength index has also just poked above the 50 level for the first time since late February.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Both drivers climbed from their cars and walked to an ambulance for a trip to the track's infield care center.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
In Guilford County, jails in Greensboro and High Point have climbed from holding 973 to 1,140.—
Ryan Oehrli,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Verb
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That rare combination boosted both demand and buying power, sending homes flying off the market and prices rising.—
Chuck Bonfiglio,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
That victory boosted the Americans into the Round of 16.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelled. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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