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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of swell
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
In other animal news, scientists say they are awestruck over the unexpected arrival of a baby swell shark at Louisiana’s Shreveport Aquarium because no male sharks have visited the tank in years.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
Christopher Bagley, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
The flooding is due to a series of heavy rainfall events that swelled the river over the last few days, according to officials.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
Sam Gillette, People.com, 7 May 2025
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced the first measles case Wednesday — news that comes amid a swell of measles cases across the country.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
Adjective
Population Boom Texas has seen its population swell over the past decade with residents increasing by nearly four million between 2013 and 2023, more than any other state.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
In other animal news, scientists say they are awestruck over the unexpected arrival of a baby swell shark at Louisiana’s Shreveport Aquarium because no male sharks have visited the tank in years.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
While the crowds swell in July and August, Cádiz manages to retain its seductive mix of grandeur and grit year-round.
—Christopher Bagley, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
The flooding is due to a series of heavy rainfall events that swelled the river over the last few days, according to officials.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
Noun
Multiple factors contribute to the discovery of bodies in the spring time, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said on Monday, pointing to increasing water temperatures, the rate of water currents and a swell of activity on the water.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 7 May 2025
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced the first measles case Wednesday — news that comes amid a swell of measles cases across the country.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swell
Adjective
-
The future of Hollywood depends on whether the industry recognizes that its greatest asset isn’t its distribution technology but its storytellers.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2025
-
The scene, staged at Carnegie Hall, a venue built by one of America’s great 19th century philanthropists, paid tribute to a long tradition of American giving, while pointing to new ways of thinking that are shaping the 21st century.—
Sam Jacobs,
Time,
20 May 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
-
Autism rates increased, again: But RFK Jr. diverges from CDC report about the reason.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
Net income increased almost thirteenfold last year to $192.4 million from $15.3 million in 2023.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
On a year-on-year basis, however, Japan's GDP expanded 1.7%, the largest expansion since the first quarter of 2023 and a stronger showing compared to the 1.3% growth seen in the fourth quarter.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
16 May 2025
-
This year, that influence expanded into the cultural mainstream with her debut on Season 7 of The Real Housewives of Miami.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
Using metal detectors and magnetometers, the team was able to locate large bits of steel and iron protruding from the seafloor that turned out to be parts of the frame and windlass, the machine used to reel in the anchor.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
-
One of the biggest surprises of the 2025 Met Gala is Rihanna’s protruding belly.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Market projections confirm this: The NLP market is expected to grow from $18.9 billion in 2023 to $68.1 billion by 2028.—
Asad Khan,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
Is Sachiko merely a model for Etsuko to emulate, a phantom projection of what her future could be, or the older Etsuko’s distanced reflection of her past?—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
The resulting waves would be on the order of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 50,000 people.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
-
Herzig has played fantasy football for nearly his entire life, riding this wave all the way to the crest.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Amazon The latest MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent, lightweight laptop.—
Brenda Stolyar,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
-
The enchanting espionage comedy flaunts an excellent Benicio del Toro as a 1950s industrialist, who, after surviving an attempt on his life, names his estranged daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) as heir to his empire.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swell. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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