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
as in surging
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of swelling
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
There are serious complications of pneumonia (1 in 20), encephalitis (brain swelling) in 1/1,000, deafness in many and deaths in 1-3/1,000.
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
Jolene Edgar, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Both mechanisms help minimize swelling.
—Erica Sweeney, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Noun
On New Year's Eve, King began experiencing chest pain, swelling and shortness of breath, and went back to the hospital.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
There are serious complications of pneumonia (1 in 20), encephalitis (brain swelling) in 1/1,000, deafness in many and deaths in 1-3/1,000.
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Another effective anti-swelling remedy is a delicious snack that may be hiding in the fridge.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Following a lip lift, swelling and bruising can last two to three weeks and the area may feel firm, tight, tingly, or numb for up to three months.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Both mechanisms help minimize swelling.
—Erica Sweeney, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelling
Noun
-
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt, breaking up any lumps.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Sarcoidosis produces lumps or nodules in the lungs.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His administration is facing increasing scrutiny after immigration officers killed two American citizens in Minneapolis this month.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Powerful onshore winds are forecast to coincide with some of the highest tides of the month, increasing the risk of moderate to locally significant coastal flooding, particularly during high tide cycles late Saturday into Sunday.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By year’s end, some 9,917 fires scorched more than four million acres, accelerating flash floods and mudflow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Democrats largely agreed about issues such as combating climate change, accelerating the transition to clean energy and protecting California’s water resources.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management inspected it and found a pipe protruding from a berm, leaking water where it’s not supposed to go.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
-
They’re typically installed above kitchen sinks and provide more light than standard windows, but their protruding design adds weight and insulation considerations.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Fortunately, the children have a lot of bruises, scrapes and cuts, all stuff that is easily managed.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The photos show cuts and bruises on his face as well as bandages on his hands.—
David Matthews,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Tensor frames the platform as a rolling data center, with autonomy as its core function rather than an add-on feature.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Those whose water supply comes from private wells and who are located within half a mile of the site of the spill are advised to distill or boil (at a rolling boil for at least one minute) all water for consumption.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Kumar is one of millions of residents in the Indian capital suffering sporadic water shortages due to rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna River that last week forced six of the city’s nine major water plants to shut down.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
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These cycles, which last about 11 years, mark periods of rising and falling solar activity.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Camp Lucy, a Texas Wine Country resort, is also expanding with the debut of Folklore, a new spa experience blending wellness, color therapy and social connection.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Levine Cava also pointed to Miami-Dade's expanding economy, fueled in part by major international events such as Formula One races at Hard Rock Stadium and upcoming FIFA World Cup matches.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelling. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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