as in blown
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure
a swollen ankle from a sprain
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Recent Examples of swollen
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not develop symptoms, but those who do may experience a mild form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash, according to the IDOH.
—
Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
Unlike their other two children, who'd previously had the same surgery, Asher became unusually swollen after the procedure and experienced more bleeding than expected.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Those memories are swollen, soaked through.
—Lindsay Calleran, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
Over the prairie there would be lightning that evening, dropping in shattering bolts from swollen purple clouds.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Mpox, a viral illness formerly known as monkeypox, generally starts with flu-like symptoms – fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, headaches and backaches.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Forget about de-planing with tired, swollen ankles—slip into the Charmking Compression Socks before takeoff to promote circulation and keep your legs feeling energized throughout the flight.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Television footage showed the swollen muddy water on the verge of overflowing.
—ABC News, 2 June 2026
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
Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
Unlike their other two children, who'd previously had the same surgery, Asher became unusually swollen after the procedure and experienced more bleeding than expected.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Those memories are swollen, soaked through.
—Lindsay Calleran, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
Over the prairie there would be lightning that evening, dropping in shattering bolts from swollen purple clouds.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Mpox, a viral illness formerly known as monkeypox, generally starts with flu-like symptoms – fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, headaches and backaches.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Forget about de-planing with tired, swollen ankles—slip into the Charmking Compression Socks before takeoff to promote circulation and keep your legs feeling energized throughout the flight.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Television footage showed the swollen muddy water on the verge of overflowing.
—ABC News, 2 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swollen
Adjective
-
Fiber slows gastric emptying, making the stomach more distended.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2026
-
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
-
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 13 Jun. 2026.
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