dilate

verb

Definition of dilatenext
as in to distend

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How does the verb dilate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dilate are amplify, distend, expand, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

When is amplify a more appropriate choice than dilate?

In some situations, the words amplify and dilate are roughly equivalent. However, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When can distend be used instead of dilate?

The words distend and dilate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

Where would expand be a reasonable alternative to dilate?

Although the words expand and dilate have much in common, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of dilate?

The synonyms inflate and dilate are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When would swell be a good substitute for dilate?

The words swell and dilate can be used in similar contexts, but swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

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 dilate The hours and days that had dilated so spectacularly on the ground snapped into metronomic order—too fast, too rushed, each second a lost opportunity to look more closely. —Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025 In order to find out if this was the case, doctors needed to dilate his pupils to check. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025 Erections rely on the bioavailability of nitric oxide and the ability of blood vessels to dilate efficiently. —Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Our interview, however, was just two days earlier, and his surrogate was already three centimeters dilated! —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilate
  1. distend
  2. inflate
  3. augment
  4. increase
  5. expand
  6. enlarge
  7. swell
  8. accelerate
Verb
  • The effect is to both collapse and distend time until all the souls in the book, most of them nameless anyway, exist at the same time, in the same place, forever.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Isaiah was also malnourished and dehydrated at the time of his death, with his small and large intestines markedly distended.
    — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2017
Definition of distend
Verb
  • In 2022, The Republic found higher-than-allowed levels of pesticides in products purchased at a dispensary that had already cleared the testing process and a lab that consistently inflated its potency results.
    — Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • For businesses focused on scalability, AEI helps track efficiency without inflating operational costs.
    — Jigar Kothari, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of inflate
Verb
  • The Royals must win games and remain in the playoff mix in order to keep their current roster together — and perhaps even augment it.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
  • This is among the greatest strengths of AI—augmenting human capabilities.
    — Hank Boughner, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of augment
Verb
  • Decades of research and studies in agriculture have increased production across all crops in the U.S., said James, and cannabis can adopt those same technologies.
    — Julie Weed, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • The poll also showed that Trump's approval remains unchanged from March at 46 percent, while his disapproval increased by 1 point to 52 percent.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • As of 2025, fiber internet is available to approximately 88.1 million U.S. households (56.5%), but access is expanding rapidly.
    — Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • The plan laid out in Tuesday’s staff report proposed a ballot measure that would expand protections for thousands of acres of open space across Irvine.
    — Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 26 July 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • In the case of the 996, the mill was enlarged from the Boxster’s 3.0-liter flat-six to a 3.4-liter version.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2025
  • On a couple of occasions, audience members are brought onstage to enlarge the community that much more.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025
Definition of enlarge
Verb
  • This leads to swelling and a build-up of fluids in the area, which can cause cloudy vision and other changes.
    — Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 30 July 2025
  • The body also produces less albumin - a protein that helps maintain fluid balance - leading to swelling in the legs and abdomen.
    — Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 29 July 2025
Definition of swell
Verb
  • As for Nowak’s question about the possibility of AWS’ growth rate accelerating in the back half of the year, Jassy wouldn’t directly answer it but stressed his optimism, in part stemming from AWS customers starting to deploy more AI products at scale that should continue to ramp in coming quarters.
    — Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025
  • This substantial increase in funding is intended to support the administration's efforts to accelerate deportations in pursuit of fulfilling President Trump's goal of removing one million individuals within a year.
    — Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of accelerate

Browse Nearby Words

dilatations
dilate
dilated
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Cite this Entry

“Dilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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