SWELLS Synonyms: 189 Similar and Opposite Words

swells 1 of 2

noun

plural of swell

as in projections

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

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as in waves

a moving ridge on the surface of water huge swells overwhelmed the tiny craft

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swells

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of swell

as in increases

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the club membership has really swelled in recent months

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as in expands

to make greater in size, amount, or number more layoffs will swell the ranks of the unemployed to unprecedented levels

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as in protrudes

to extend outward beyond a usual point at that point the Congo River swells and forms Malebo Pool

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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 swells

Noun

California did not experience any rain or wind before massive swells overtook Laguna Beach, where a portion of the PCH remains closed as sections crack and slide down toward the ocean. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026 Mentions of data centers have, predictably, shot up across all three networks in recent months as political backlash against AI swells and the data centers themselves have become a salient issue ahead of the midterms. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Its San Diego office said Sunday morning would carry the highest flooding risks along the Orange and San Diego coasts as swells, onshore winds and high tides combine. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Rachel’s swells are expected to generate life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions off Mexico’s coast, the NHC warned. — Fabiola Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 The surf-worthy Pacific swells provide excellent conditions for paddling out and riding waves. — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the population swells in the summer months. — Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 The Seaglider is designed to handle ocean swells up to a meter and a half high. — IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2026 These wetlands, connected to the river, act as natural reservoirs that absorb and hold water, especially when the river swells with meltwater or heavy rain. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 Each month, roughly a dozen are consistently in the audience, though the number swells depending on the agenda. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026 The ballad finds Fontaines’ Grian Chatten and Rosalía trading lines over a moody acoustic strum that repeatedly swells with strings and clattering drums. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026 The greatest concern is high tide through Sunday morning and swells from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel could create dangerous conditions with beach erosion and seawater once again flooding beach roads and paths. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 Friday, the high tide in San Diego and La Jolla was coming in 17 inches higher than the official prediction, which doesn’t account for hotter-than-normal ocean waters or swells from tropical storms, according to NOAA’s tide forecasts. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Music, which has been the constant all-consuming river of his life, swells him into an adventure that will change him forever. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swells

Noun

They are expected to represent close to 25% of the population by 2050, according to projections by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics.

— Dov Lieber, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
The crux of that work is that analysts believe lower iPhone shipments this fall are not yet reappearing in 2027 projections.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of projections

Noun

The Ukrainian capital endured a noisy night as 21 ballistic missiles came in three waves, Zelenskyy said, smashing apartment buildings, energy facilities, a railway station and the Kyiv subway system, shopping malls and businesses.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
There was a very rigorous, full-on casting situation, and there were waves of auditions.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of waves

Verb

This is becoming especially important as the AI economy expands.

— H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Larger aircraft expands capacity The 737-10 typically seats between 185 and 210 passengers in a two-class configuration, although its maximum seating capacity reaches 230.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

Ping Ping, the male, has dark black circles around his eyes, while Fu Shuang, the female, has a forehead that protrudes a bit, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Other animals on-site include a stable full of horses and Cowboy the tortoise, who is about the size of a lawnmower and whose head protrudes from what looks like a Venus flytrap made of bone.

— Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of protrudes

Noun

Bra bands that dig in and have minimal side coverage can create bulges under your tops and dresses, but this under-$20 Warners style does the opposite, according to shoppers.

— Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
During matches earlier this year, bulges could be seen in the shoulder seams on jerseys for teams including France and Uruguay, the Guardian reported.

— Claire Rush, Fortune, 28 June 2026

Definition of bulges

Verb

The agreement comes as electricity demand rises across the United States, driven partly by expanding data centers, manufacturing and electrification.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Dyerville Loop Road begins along the Eel River in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, then rises into the foothills of Humboldt County, California before dropping back down to the river near Fort Seward.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of rises

Verb

CoreMotion technology accelerates the transition from autonomy development and experimentation to operationally relevant capability, as per the release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Every clinical breakthrough has cost implications, accelerates the pace of change and widens the gap between what is scientifically possible and what is practical for clinicians delivering care.

— Brad Kreick, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026