turgid

adjective

ˈtər-jəd How to pronounce turgid (audio)
Definition of turgidnext
as in swollen
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure turgid leeches having had their fill of blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of turgid The document has been commented on more widely than previous popes’ encyclicals, which traditionally have been heavy on turgid liturgical language. — Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 26 May 2026 This new singer recited turgid poetry over his new bandmates’ compositions, which erred towards brittle reggae and boogie. — Brad Shoup, Pitchfork, 24 Jan. 2026 Avery, the heroine of Anika Jade Levy’s debut novel, Flat Earth (Catapult, $26), spends many turgid nights with a pedant. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025 Like many disaster movies, this is a turgid soap opera that’s blown apart by chaos. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turgid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turgid
swollen
Adjective
  • Symptoms can vary depending on where and how the infection got into the body, but are frequently associated with skin or other ulcers, along with swollen lymph nodes.
    — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • In a handwritten criminal complaint, Patty’s ex-wife described a disturbing physical altercation that allegedly left her with a swollen arm, neck pain and a bump on her head.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of swollen

Browse Nearby Words

turgescent
turgid
turgidity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turgid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turgid. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on turgid

Nglish: Translation of turgid for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All