swelled

VERB

become larger

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accumulate add to balloon bloat bulge enlarge expand fatten grow increase mount rise surge

STRONG

aggravate amplify augment belly billow blister dilate distend enhance extend heighten intensity plump pouch pout protrude puff tumefy uprise

WEAK

be inflated become bloated become distended become swollen fill out grow larger puff up round out well up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abridge decline decrease diminish drop fall lessen lose lower reduce shrink slump

STRONG

compress condense contract curtail shorten

WEAK

concentrate

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.

The proportion of the Chinese population living in urban areas swelled to around 66% as of 2024, up from 19% in 1980, at the start of China’s reform-and-opening-up era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Their hunter-gatherer ancestry swelled from only 10% to 30–40% in some regions.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2026

Outside the prime minister's office, as the rain suddenly cleared and sunlight broke through, the crowd swelled and the chanting grew louder.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

It didn’t help, as the Lakers’ deficit swelled to 26 points.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

And then, suddenly, it all united and swelled into a great roar of laughter.

From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis