as in blown
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure
a swollen ankle from a sprain
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Recent Examples of swollen
Most adults including pregnant people either have no symptoms or experience mild, flu-like illness such as fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and muscle or joint aches.
—
Dr. Megan Yanny, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
First symptoms often include extreme tiredness, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
Receiving a diagnosis The couple first noticed something was different about Rylan at 3 years old, when his body seemed abnormally puffy and swollen.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026
Berrios-Otero’s initial arrest came after the parents of a boy at the daycare noticed that his genitals were swollen and scabbed, according to the warrant affidavit in that case.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
This validated questionnaire asks about symptoms like heel pain and swollen joints or digits.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 27 May 2026
His eyes were glassed over and his tongue was swollen.
—Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
The child’s eyes were swollen and milky, their mouth agape in a silent moan.
—Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
Cook County prosecutors said McElroy kicked Finn approximately 43 times, causing bruising and a swollen eye.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Dr. Megan Yanny, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
First symptoms often include extreme tiredness, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
Receiving a diagnosis The couple first noticed something was different about Rylan at 3 years old, when his body seemed abnormally puffy and swollen.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026
Berrios-Otero’s initial arrest came after the parents of a boy at the daycare noticed that his genitals were swollen and scabbed, according to the warrant affidavit in that case.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
This validated questionnaire asks about symptoms like heel pain and swollen joints or digits.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 27 May 2026
His eyes were glassed over and his tongue was swollen.
—Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
The child’s eyes were swollen and milky, their mouth agape in a silent moan.
—Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
Cook County prosecutors said McElroy kicked Finn approximately 43 times, causing bruising and a swollen eye.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swollen
Adjective
-
Fiber slows gastric emptying, making the stomach more distended.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2026
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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
Adjective
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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
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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 5 Jun. 2026.
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