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swelling 1 of 3

noun

ˈswe-liŋ How to pronounce swelling (audio)
Definition of swellingnext
as in lump
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue the swelling at the site of the insect bite was not too concerning

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swelling

2 of 3

adjective

as in surging

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Dissimilar Words

swelling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of swell
1
as in increasing
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the club membership has really swelled in recent months

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerating
to make greater in size, amount, or number more layoffs will swell the ranks of the unemployed to unprecedented levels

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3
as in protruding
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

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 swelling
Noun
Garrett, acquired in an offseason trade from Cleveland, had missed over two weeks of practice with knee swelling. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2026 The concern is as the days go on, the swelling is going to go into his hand. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The hope was this would mean less swelling, less pain and, potentially, a significantly faster recovery. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 13 May 2026 Another effective anti-swelling remedy is a delicious snack that may be hiding in the fridge. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
From book clubs to run clubs and a swelling calendar of brand events, online communities are spilling into physical spaces — and then returning to Instagram to document them. — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026 Corbet issued a statement defending the AI use cases amid swelling online revolt. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelling
  1. lump
  2. surging
  3. increasing
  4. accelerating
  5. protruding
  6. bruise
  7. rolling
  8. rising
Noun
  • The initial agreement was that, in the separation, Bass would give Sperr a $50 million lump-sum payment and two properties in New York, and continue to care for Sperr’s mother, according to the suit.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In a small bowl, mix together the tahini, sesame oil, miso, vanilla, and 1/4 cup (60g) warm water until no lumps of miso remain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of lump
Adjective
  • The move highlights how surging demand for AI computing capacity is drawing institutional investors, as governments, companies and startups race to build out data centers to support AI workloads.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of surging
Verb
  • Widening gap The gap between hyperscaler CDS and bank CDS has widened to around 60 basis points from roughly 0 since October of 2025, implying that hyperscaler credit risk is increasing on its own terms, Slok's research shows.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Economic growth has also been on solid footing, though an increasing share of it has been driven by red-hot spending on AI — some of which is now being propelled by credit.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of increasing
Verb
  • Because the pace of technological change is accelerating fast.
    — Brittany Murrey, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Air Force officials have set a target of about $10 million per aircraft and are accelerating efforts to field the new system.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of accelerating
Verb
  • As has the part where Reacher uses his left paw with two nails protruding from the palm as a makeshift Wolverine/Freddy Krueger stabbin’ hand.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • For the hunters, a massive grey orb with a ramp protruding from it is one clue.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of protruding
Noun
  • The woman, 37, was found half naked with bruises on her body and tied up with cables.
    — Rael Ombuor The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Autopsy photos displayed in court revealed welts, bruises and scars all over the boy’s body, and police found ropes and chains in the apartment that witnesses said were used to restrain him.
    — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of bruise
Adjective
  • This, though, was a match to fire the imagination — a rolling, shape-shifting battle that will take some living up to in the months ahead.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Take a breather by the beach, where days are made for lingering on golden sands, discovering hidden coves, and relaxing to the tune of the rolling Mediterranean tide.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of rolling
Verb
  • The decision was widely expected due to the country's rising inflation and historically weak yen.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The violins dig into the first three notes of a rising theme — only to tumble suddenly into a hushed dance, which Mahler marks grazioso.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of rising

Browse Nearby Words

swellheadedness
swelling
swellings
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Cite this Entry

“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelling. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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