Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

swell

[swel] / swɛl /






Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

These waves, combined with an incoming long-period southerly swell, will cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026

Even if Aspen-bound planes swell in size, there wouldn’t be enough hotel rooms to accommodate considerably more passengers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

In paintings from that decade, Caland’s imagery of bodies swell, split, meld and dissolve.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

All of these attendees were following the example set by those at the top: looking out for themselves and trying to swell their own stash.

From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026

Every once in a while, a bubble would swell and burst, disgorging a monster like a larva from an egg.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Regardless of its exact path, large ocean swells generated by the hurricane were expected to create hazardous conditions along portions of Mexico's southwestern and west-central coastlines in the following days.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

The National Hurricane Center is also tracking Tropical Storm Rachel, which recently formed in the eastern Pacific well off Mexico’s southwest coast and could send more swells toward Southern California early next week.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

Residents have also been warned of large ocean swells and life-threatening surf conditions for the next few days.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

Nonstop swells combined with a “super” El Niño phenomenon have washed away truckloads of sand from Newport Beach and other parts of the California coast, exposing hazards buried a century ago.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

He stood looking out at the dark swells.

From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

According to the NFL, its UK fanbase has swelled to 18.6 million, with 4.5 million of those considered 'avid' fans.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

After years of campus backlash and administrative crackdowns, fraternity membership has swelled this decade, as students have flocked to schools with big sports and robust social scenes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

In 2023, one of the wettest years in decades, the San Joaquin swelled to four miles wide at the site.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

But then she and a friend decided to stay for the Mass as the crowd swelled around her.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

By the time all color had ebbed from the sky, the crowd had swelled to include 3,000 protesters, and they started their slow, determined march north up Fayetteville Street.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

A cut across the bridge of his nose, first sustained during his 2024 draw with Frazer Clarke, reopened against Dubois and left his face badly swollen and bloodied.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which cartilage gradually breaks down, leaving joints painful, swollen and increasingly difficult to move.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

But traders add that there are a number of other factors pushing yields higher, such a solid labor market, swollen U.S. budget deficits and a deluge of tech-company debt issuance competing for investors’ cash.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

Vela Gonzalez complained for weeks of stomach pain and his legs were only getting more swollen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

In the next to last cage crouched an enormous orange-and-white cat with tattered ears and a swollen eye.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

They can include muscle and joint aches, stiffness and swelling, reduced strength and pins and needles.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

The gain by Harvard’s endowment for the fiscal year ended June 30, swelling its coffers to almost $68 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Then came the swelling in his left foot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

Most reported side effects involved temporary reactions around the injection site, including pain, swelling, and redness.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

It always began in his chest, a swelling anxiety that blossomed through his veins, gripped his heart, spread up his spine, pressed against his eyes, the pressure often morphing into a migraine.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro


Vocabulary lists containing swell

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com