1
as in great
of the very best kind
what a swell time we had at the country club dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in happening
being in the latest or current fashion
in its heyday as a summer resort, the town was known for its swanky hotels and swell restaurants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the club membership has really swelled in recent months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to expand
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 to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
at that point the Congo River swells and forms Malebo Pool
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in projection
a part that sticks out from the general mass of something
the graceful swell of the bottle was meant to be evocative of the female figure
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 swell
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
And while Brown more than merits his spot with the all-time greats, his legacy credentials only swell with his catalog’s prolific sampling for new generations.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
Sarah Hudgens, Health, 22 Apr. 2025
Still, shock spread throughout the Paycom Center as the Thunder’s lead swelled.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
This year’s show takes place May 30th, 31st, and June 1st, so mark your calendar and cruise into summer with style.
1 of 3
Shoppers can wander Pismo Beach Premium Outlets in search of stylish finds, while surfers can rent boards from shops downtown and ride the mild but steady spring swells.
—Cliff Lewis, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
Adjective
As water seeps into your skin, the upper layers swell, prompting nerves to fire off electrical charges and chemicals that contract blood vessels.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
And while Brown more than merits his spot with the all-time greats, his legacy credentials only swell with his catalog’s prolific sampling for new generations.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
In hereditary angioedema, swelling stems from gene changes.
—Sarah Hudgens, Health, 22 Apr. 2025
Still, shock spread throughout the Paycom Center as the Thunder’s lead swelled.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
This was actually released as a single, though that version did not include the giant church-organ swell.
—Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
This year’s show takes place May 30th, 31st, and June 1st, so mark your calendar and cruise into summer with style.
1 of 3
Shoppers can wander Pismo Beach Premium Outlets in search of stylish finds, while surfers can rent boards from shops downtown and ride the mild but steady spring swells.
—Cliff Lewis, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swell
Adjective
-
Cancer, a disease that doesn’t discriminate and spares no one from its reach, has long been one of humanity’s greatest adversaries.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
-
This is a great UFC Fight Night that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While the overarching trend for fall is still lowest maintenance possible, there's a bit more happening than your typical sunny blondes and balayage brunettes.—
Bella Cacciatore,
Glamour,
2 Sep. 2020
-
What was once a sleepy college town next to a railroad stop is now one of the most happening cities in the state of Texas.—
Craig Hlavaty,
Houston Chronicle,
5 Apr. 2018
Verb
-
Incidents are increasing now because people are hungry and people are trying to survive, and that is going to also have an effect on society.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
2 May 2025
-
The reception for each volume of Love, Death & Robots has steadily increased since volume one dropped in March 2019, with the volume three boasting a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Sirens, Netflix’s big budget drama release this month, drops on May 22.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
For 2024, the list was expanded to 450 companies and looked at their emissions between 2020 and 2022.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Believed to have originated in 15th-century Italy as a card game used by nobility, the original deck was expanded and popularized by 18th-century French occultists; and again later in the 20th century, when modern tarot was born thanks to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, published in 1909.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Those bulges protruding like alien offspring are potato, dozens of layers stacked and compressed into golden squares with crisp edges.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
When the mannequin’s arm came off in the scout’s hands – bones protruding – ol’ Elmer became a nationwide mystery.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Both Walker and Wease had received a smattering of mock draft projections.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2025
-
There is no doubt about his NFL talent, but his ability to handle more of a full-time role is a tricky projection.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, in New York City, Blake Lively waves to the cameras, and Joe Jonas sits for a radio interview.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Among much else, the trees shelter marine life, capture carbon from the atmosphere and buffer coastlines from powerful waves.—
Avery Schuyler Nunn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
At a minimum, professionals are looking for dependable inventory, top-quality and professional-grade equipment, effortless trade-ins, excellent customer service and reliable and fast repairs.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2025
-
He’s been excellent in dealing with traffic, as the Golden Knights put more bodies in front of him on Tuesday than pretty much the first four games.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swell. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share