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well up

VERB
swell
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
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.

If that were to happen, Dowson said it would be a "significant achievement" that would be "well up there" with previous Prodrive triumphs.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Comparable sales were higher as well, up by 3.2%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

I could feel my eyes start to well up.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Tokyo was also well up as tech firms performed well, while Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta also advanced.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

My eyes well up with tears again, and I feel stupid and dramatic.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King

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