as in lump
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue
the swelling at the site of the insect bite was not too concerning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in increasing
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 accelerating
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 protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point
at that point the Congo River swells and forms Malebo Pool
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in surging
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of swelling
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Fox 4 reported that doctors at the Dallas Regional Medical Center said the infant boy had a skull fracture, brain swelling, brain bleeding, and multiple rib fractures, according to the police affidavit.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Other potentially concerning changes including nipple discharge, pain or swelling in their breast, changes in the color of the nipple or breast, the nipple turning inward, painful or enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits or near the collarbone, or redness or flaky skin on the breast.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Verb
In these cases, drinking excessive amounts can overload your system, causing swelling, shortness of breath or dangerous electrolyte imbalances.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Fox 4 reported that doctors at the Dallas Regional Medical Center said the infant boy had a skull fracture, brain swelling, brain bleeding, and multiple rib fractures, according to the police affidavit.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass, but other signs and symptoms include swelling of the breast, skin dimpling, breast or nipple pain, nipple discharge aside from breast milk and nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaky or thickened, according to ACS.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Other potentially concerning changes including nipple discharge, pain or swelling in their breast, changes in the color of the nipple or breast, the nipple turning inward, painful or enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits or near the collarbone, or redness or flaky skin on the breast.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelling
Noun
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The cash option is a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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In a Reddit post, the owner shared that the lump, initially feared to be cancer, was instead diagnosed as an abscess caused by a simple piece of grass.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The government can raise revenues by increasing the payroll tax that funds Social Security or the income threshold to continue paying the tax or raise the full retirement age.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
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People would be wise to consider the ever-increasing cost of homes in the area before selling their property due to immigration enforcement fears, Gonzalez said.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To some, Aschenbrenner is a rare genius who saw the moment—the coming of humanlike artificial general intelligence, China’s accelerating AI race, and the vast fortunes awaiting those who move first—more clearly than anyone else.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
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StoneX is also accelerating via acquisitions.—
Jeffrey Hirsch,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Deputy Thomas Zajac, first on the scene, found Heskett kneeling in the grass near the park’s Old Mill Trail, grasping a pocketknife protruding from his abdomen.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
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Keta’s long layers fell on the sides of her face, while the back was noticeably teased and twisted with spiky pieces protruding out.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The woman was left with lacerations and bruises to her face, head, legs and arms, according to court documents.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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Despite sustaining some minor injuries — Ethan sustained several cuts, scrapes and bruises while Brandon sustained a small burn on his forehead and scarring on his hands — the pair escaped relatively unscathed, physically.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fatal dog attacks, though rare in the United States, have been sharply rising in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Joel Quenneville taking over a rising team loaded with exciting young players and leading them to the playoffs?—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Other southern Arizona wineries are expanding with new eateries and event spaces to attract more visitors.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Now, Meta is expanding those protections beyond Instagram.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The first meetup drew dozens of participants poking at pudding cups together.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
3 Oct. 2025
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The underground pop of the 2010s used to get so excited about being online, using shrinky-dink artifice to delight in poking fun at a culture that could feel shallow and strange but also organic and endlessly renewable.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelling. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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