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

I could feel my eyes start to well up.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

When Richard told him about his fears, “I saw tears well up in his eyes.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Self-will is a powerful motivator, and it may have served you well up until now.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 10, 2025

Pain flooded in, making my eyes well up with tears.

From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben

well up

Example Sentences

Related Words