1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the number of students who stay home sick balloons every winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the paper bag ballooned and blew away as the wind lifted it skyward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balloon
The demand for slots skyrocketed and the auction prices ballooned in recent weeks as a standoff between the Iran and the United States over access to the strait kept traffic bottlenecked.
—
Alma Solís, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Between 2018 and 2023, the rate of insurance nonrenewals ballooned by 280% in Florida, 136% in South Carolina and 82% in California, according to a 2024 report from the Senate Budget Committee.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
The halftime lead ballooned to 97-75.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
However, the Angels ballooned that number in a hurry.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Alma Solís, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Between 2018 and 2023, the rate of insurance nonrenewals ballooned by 280% in Florida, 136% in South Carolina and 82% in California, according to a 2024 report from the Senate Budget Committee.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
The halftime lead ballooned to 97-75.
—Jason Quick, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
However, the Angels ballooned that number in a hurry.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
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The 76ers led for all but 31 seconds in the game, increasing a five-point halftime edge to 18 in the third quarter.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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Her aunt plans to pressure the City Council to pass measures to increase building safety.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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According to court documents cited by Cleveland television station WJW, witnesses told investigators that Bryant was seen walking toward the Costco entrance with what appeared to be a drum magazine protruding from his pocket.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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In one shared by the road commission, the rushing, foaming flow might be confused for a threatening river if not for the road guardrails protruding from the water.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But they are expected to rise with tightening supplies of fuel and fertilizer.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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To address rising demand of lithium The USGS projects that global production capacity will double by 2029 to address rising demand from technology companies.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When Andrei Vasilevskiy tried to poke the puck away, Bolduc had moved so deep into the crease area that the puck went off him and into the net for his first career playoff goal.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The host also poked fun at the Trumps’ living separately despite being married for 22 years.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Veneers and crowns can cause temporary sensitivity or mild discomfort, while implants may lead to swelling and soreness in the first few days.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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While a warm, four-bar bassline chugs alongside dubby stabs and bouncy swells, BEA1991’s vocals switch from nonchalant monotone to falsetto in a way that sounds like an involuntary yelp of joy.—
Reid BG,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reiner sat mostly expressionless in the courtroom—his eyes wide open and bulging.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
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This results in bulging eyes (proptosis) due to swelling or pressure behind your eyes.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Even accelerating a college degree to three years from four, can save students $100,000 dollars or more at many schools.—
Matthew G. Andersson,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
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Conventional intuition suggests that the most efficient way to accelerate a chemical reaction is to give reactants unhindered access to a highly active catalyst.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The chain eventually expanded to other nameplates — Banana Republic and Old Navy — and now generates more than $15 billion in sales globally.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
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That means expanding the Renter’s Tax Credit, protecting homeowners from rising costs and making sure renters know their rights and can access homelessness prevention services.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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