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 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 The water, in the turgid, late afternoon light, was gray and swift. — Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turgid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turgid
swollen
Adjective
  • Afterward, her face was so swollen that her daughter, Ana Corina, could barely recognize her.
    — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • Man kayaks Texas river during flash flood swelling The video drew attention online as flooding continued across parts of Texas, with officials warning residents to stay away from swollen rivers and creeks.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 17 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 23 Jul. 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 maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

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

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
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
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All