as in blown
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure
a swollen ankle from a sprain
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Recent Examples of swollen
On the third day, his forehead and eyes were puffy and swollen.
—
Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
The next morning, doctors noted that his tongue had become swollen, DHS said.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2026
Mpox symptoms include a sometimes painful, blistery rash on various parts of the body, fever, chills, exhaustion, muscle aches, headache, swollen lymph nodes and respiratory symptoms, according to the CDC.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
On Saturday, Paktyawal was eating breakfast when staff noticed his tongue had become swollen.
—Juan A. Lozano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Early March 14, ICE said in its statement, Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal was eating breakfast when medical staff noted that his tongue had become swollen, prompting a medical response.
—Marissa Armas, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
To shorten a branch, make a cut above a healthy bud, and remove whole branches by cutting at an angle at the swollen collar area where the branch meets the trunk.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Bloating happens when your stomach feels full or swollen, often after eating.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2026
In 2019, Monte Leifheit, a warehouse operator at 3M, noticed his left eye was bloodshot and swollen.
—Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
The next morning, doctors noted that his tongue had become swollen, DHS said.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2026
Mpox symptoms include a sometimes painful, blistery rash on various parts of the body, fever, chills, exhaustion, muscle aches, headache, swollen lymph nodes and respiratory symptoms, according to the CDC.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
On Saturday, Paktyawal was eating breakfast when staff noticed his tongue had become swollen.
—Juan A. Lozano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Early March 14, ICE said in its statement, Mohammed Nazeer Paktiawal was eating breakfast when medical staff noted that his tongue had become swollen, prompting a medical response.
—Marissa Armas, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
To shorten a branch, make a cut above a healthy bud, and remove whole branches by cutting at an angle at the swollen collar area where the branch meets the trunk.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Bloating happens when your stomach feels full or swollen, often after eating.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2026
In 2019, Monte Leifheit, a warehouse operator at 3M, noticed his left eye was bloodshot and swollen.
—Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swollen
Adjective
-
The distended episodes were littered with what feels like filler, little of which offered much in the way of narrative value.—
Emma Flint,
IndieWire,
25 Nov. 2025
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Once per act, a second duo crashes in on Didi and Gogo, providing the tramps’ power balance with a lurid, distended foil.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Cover pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer, checking occasionally to make sure water isn’t boiling too rapidly, until matzo balls are very puffed and light in color, 30–40 minutes.—
Molly Baz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Bake, 1 baking sheet at a time, in preheated oven until slightly puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swollen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swollen. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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