as in blown
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure
a swollen ankle from a sprain
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Recent Examples of swollen
These are massive stars in their later stages, swollen and ruddy, shining bright across the cosmos.
—
Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026
The Puma was out, less than 12 hours before post time, because of a swollen leg from a skin infection.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
The new charges arose from an investigation that was launched when the parents of a boy at the daycare noticed that their child’s genitals were swollen and scabbed, according to the warrant affidavit in Berrios-Otero’s initial arrest.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Patients commonly have flu-like symptoms, possibly some weight loss, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that covers the chest and back.
—Casey Pinto, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
The first day of recovery proved to be the most gruesome, with Jackson's face covered in bloody scabs and extremely swollen.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Garcia, who was hired in 2021 and honored last year as Pinecrest’s officer of the year, suffered a swollen foot.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Makuei acknowledged that access to Nyatim had been restricted but added that estimates of its evacuee-swollen population — 30,000, according to Doctors Without Borders — were exaggerated.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Nolan developed esophageal varices, which are swollen veins in the esophagus that can burst and bleed.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026
The Puma was out, less than 12 hours before post time, because of a swollen leg from a skin infection.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
The new charges arose from an investigation that was launched when the parents of a boy at the daycare noticed that their child’s genitals were swollen and scabbed, according to the warrant affidavit in Berrios-Otero’s initial arrest.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Patients commonly have flu-like symptoms, possibly some weight loss, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that covers the chest and back.
—Casey Pinto, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
The first day of recovery proved to be the most gruesome, with Jackson's face covered in bloody scabs and extremely swollen.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Garcia, who was hired in 2021 and honored last year as Pinecrest’s officer of the year, suffered a swollen foot.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Makuei acknowledged that access to Nyatim had been restricted but added that estimates of its evacuee-swollen population — 30,000, according to Doctors Without Borders — were exaggerated.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Nolan developed esophageal varices, which are swollen veins in the esophagus that can burst and bleed.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 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
-
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 8 May. 2026.
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