as in blown
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure
a swollen ankle from a sprain
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Recent Examples of swollen
He was followed by an interested female, her behind swollen red.
—
Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
However, when Taylor’s doctor dilated his eyes, the optic nerves, which connect the eyes to the brain, were found to be completely swollen.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Their belly will appear distended during the last 20 days of pregnancy, and their breast tissue will also be noticeably swollen.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
To make matters more interesting, Tagovailoa had the incredible 205-yard performance with a swollen left eye.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
And while Tua Tagovailoa and the offense certainly deserve credit for a dominant performance, especially considering his swollen eye, what’s more intriguing is how the defense locked down the Falcons.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Common signs include an itchy, red, swollen rash.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 24 Oct. 2025
The boy’s twin sister was later found at a friend’s home with a swollen eye, bruises and scratches.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Who among us had a little pad on our nightstand, a stack of swollen notebooks beneath our bed, pages puffy with scrawl?
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
However, when Taylor’s doctor dilated his eyes, the optic nerves, which connect the eyes to the brain, were found to be completely swollen.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Their belly will appear distended during the last 20 days of pregnancy, and their breast tissue will also be noticeably swollen.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
To make matters more interesting, Tagovailoa had the incredible 205-yard performance with a swollen left eye.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
And while Tua Tagovailoa and the offense certainly deserve credit for a dominant performance, especially considering his swollen eye, what’s more intriguing is how the defense locked down the Falcons.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Common signs include an itchy, red, swollen rash.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 24 Oct. 2025
The boy’s twin sister was later found at a friend’s home with a swollen eye, bruises and scratches.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Who among us had a little pad on our nightstand, a stack of swollen notebooks beneath our bed, pages puffy with scrawl?
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swollen
Adjective
-
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
-
Following too much pasta or one too many sweet treats, my stomach gets quite sensitive—resulting in a feeling of tightness and a distended, rumbling tummy.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
The look featured a hood and a puffed silhouette.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Bake until puffed and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swollen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swollen. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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