as in blown
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure
a swollen ankle from a sprain
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Recent Examples of swollen
Those with the condition experience stiff and swollen neck muscles, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
His case started with a swollen lymph node that wouldn’t heal.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026
Ashley is hurt from throwing herself out of Austin’s moving car, bleeding from her forehead and limping with a swollen knee.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
The roots of the plant consist of a cluster of rhizomes (swollen underground stems with feeder roots attached).
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Brian Hooker told an officer he had been assaulted by his wife, who struck him multiple times, according to the report, which said he was found with a swollen, bloody nose.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the supple leather stretches to accommodate swollen feet.
—Irene Richardson, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
One 10-cc vial was injected in five or six places in the swollen arm.
—Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
According to the police report, officers saw Brian Hooker’s red, swollen and bloody nose, but said Lynette Hooker had no visible injuries.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
His case started with a swollen lymph node that wouldn’t heal.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026
Ashley is hurt from throwing herself out of Austin’s moving car, bleeding from her forehead and limping with a swollen knee.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
The roots of the plant consist of a cluster of rhizomes (swollen underground stems with feeder roots attached).
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Brian Hooker told an officer he had been assaulted by his wife, who struck him multiple times, according to the report, which said he was found with a swollen, bloody nose.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the supple leather stretches to accommodate swollen feet.
—Irene Richardson, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
One 10-cc vial was injected in five or six places in the swollen arm.
—Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
According to the police report, officers saw Brian Hooker’s red, swollen and bloody nose, but said Lynette Hooker had no visible injuries.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 9 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
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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
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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 24 Apr. 2026.
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