balloons

verb

present tense third-person singular of balloon
1
as in increases
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the number of students who stay home sick balloons every winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in protrudes
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of balloons Cut with a curved outer seam that balloons slightly through the thigh before tapering at the ankle, the shape is all about creating volume. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025 The mid-rise jeans have an exaggerated barrel silhouette that balloons out at the knee and tapers into a wide-leg fit at the ankle. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025 The specter of inflation will only reappear if the Fed balloons the money supply. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloons
  1. increases
  2. protrudes
  3. rises
  4. pokes
  5. swells
  6. bulges
  7. expands
  8. bags
Verb
  • Though present, they are not enabled by default and require overriding hidden FeatureFlags, which increases user risk.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Thus the image is both cropped at the top and bottom and blown up in a way that increases the grain and softness.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 21 July 2026
Definition of increases
Verb
  • These are more likely to cause painless rectal bleeding or tissue that protrudes during a bowel movement.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Part of it protrudes from the exterior, with natural airflow helping keep the food inside chilled.
    — Adam Williams March 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of protrudes
Verb
  • Hot air loaded with smoke and moisture then rises rapidly from the flames.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • Fauci also documented security threats to him and his family as his profile rises.
    — Sony Salzman, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of rises
Verb
  • As Hogi pokes a hole in this plot and shatters the industrial love complex we’ve been sold song after song, movie after movie, the workplace version of this unhealthy relationship presents a familiar parallel.
    — Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Perched on a finger of land that pokes into Lebanon, Metula is usually crowded with tourists this time of year.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Definition of pokes
Verb
  • It was forecast to gradually strengthen and the hurricane center said that ocean swells generated by Fausto were spreading along the Baja California coast and likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip tides.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Swells generated by Bertha are expected to continue spreading westward along the northern Gulf Coast during the next few days, forecasters said, with these swells likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of swells
Verb
  • According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a brain aneurysm is a weakened area in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of bulges
Verb
  • As artificial intelligence expands across K-12 schools, Massachusetts announced a new $500,000 public-private investment in AI applied learning opportunities for hundreds of students, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced Tuesday.
    — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 22 July 2026
  • The Iranian military fired six missiles on Jordan today, according to the Jordan Armed Forces, as the regional conflict expands.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of expands
Verb
  • Drizzilicious took their already-craveworthy birthday cake mini rice cakes and added a patriotic twist with their America’s 250 Anniversary Edition bags.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
  • Give your hefty designer bags a break from the sand and swap in this summer-friendly alternative instead.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Definition of bags

Browse Nearby Words

ballooning
balloons
ballot
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Cite this Entry

“Balloons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloons. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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