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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of swelling
Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
In December, 2022, for instance, a public-health nurse who visited the home for a different welfare check was surprised to find a five-month-old child with hydrocephalus, a swelling of the head, who required immediate emergency-room attention.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The disease can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain and death.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Noun
Nor do rising physician fees explain the swelling expenses.
—Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
In December, 2022, for instance, a public-health nurse who visited the home for a different welfare check was surprised to find a five-month-old child with hydrocephalus, a swelling of the head, who required immediate emergency-room attention.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 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
When bleeding or swelling inside one of these compartments builds up, pressure rises and begins to squeeze the muscles, nerves and blood vessels.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The disease can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain and death.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelling
Noun
-
Look for fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this absolutely decadent dip.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The adjustments include new, higher monthly benefit payments as well as a retroactive lump-sum payment for benefits paid from January 2024 onward.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fresh concrete is visible at both the western and eastern entrances, increasing protection that could help shield the facility from potential airstrikes, alongside trucks and other construction equipment at the site.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Coupled with large reductions to downtown trophy buildings and ever-increasing tax levies from local governments, bills that landed late last year enraged many homeowners.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Soriot rejects the idea that his investments in China risk accelerating the disruption of the science base in the UK and Europe.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In the fourth quarter, revenues in the region were up 11 percent at constant currency, accelerating on the previous quarter, despite a challenging comparable base.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Around the side, the former casino facade is now the front of Joe Leaphorn’s workplace, the Kayenta tribal police station, complete with protruding wood beams.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Team Fluff's Twilight Barkle, a special needs dog with a protruding forehead from Hearts & Bones Rescue in Dallas, scored the game's final touchdown.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The posts included more than a dozen images that showed bruises and other wounds on her body, holes in the wall and broken cabinets.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Look for unblemished spuds with no cuts, bruises, or discoloration.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Before the march began, USW Local President Eric Schultz spelled out for the picketers what’s at stake for BP’s workers, who’ve been working for the last three weeks under a rolling, 24-hour extension of its old contract.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
This rolling organizer is the perfect solution to use every inch of storage space without having to bend down to the floor.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For example, rising temperatures have direct harms on health by increasing risk of dehydration and causing more stress on the heart.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Now firmly established as both a premier service destination and a rising industry hub, Morocco is looking outward, fielding major delegations at platforms such as Venice Production Bridge and this year’s EFM to connect a new generation of filmmakers directly to the global market.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The galaxies will dissociate and disappear, leaving only isolated masses expanding away from one another, with no energy left to extract.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The hotel recently joined Wyndham Hotels and Resorts as part of the Trademark Collection, expanding its global reach while maintaining its independent spirit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelling. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
