dilate

verb

Definition of dilatenext
as in to distend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 During an eye exam, an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) may use drops to temporarily dilate the pupil to see inside the eye.7 Symptoms With miosis, either one or both pupils may be abnormally small. —Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025 And times dilate, or lengthen, by a factor of γ, for any object-in-motion relative to their otherwise stationary surroundings. —Big Think, 28 Feb. 2025 The cervix can open (dilate) to let out fluids like blood during a period. —Andrea L. Braden, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025 Part of the problem was well known—in response to severe inflammation, blood vessels dilate, causing blood pressure to drop precipitously—but Doctor wondered whether the root cause was red-cell injury. —Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 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
  • With festering worries related to economic uncertainty, inflated costs, and federal policy whiplash, the popularity of park vacations is no coincidence.
    — Time, Time, 3 June 2025
  • Its core of hydrogen fusion will expand and, in doing so, inflate the outer atmosphere of the star into gross proportions.
    — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of inflate
Verb
  • Anthropic sees this as an example of how AI can augment human work, not replace it.
    — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • The new clubhouse/pro shop is set to be approximately 10,000 square feet and feature a year-round restaurant augmented by a dining room, sports bar, event space, terrace and multi-sport simulators.
    — Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
Definition of augment
Verb
  • Add depth to a fence to increase its effectiveness.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • Mahan won his first term as mayor in 2022 with 51.3% of the vote after residents pushed to move the mayoral election to align with the presidential one to increase voter turnout.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Abu Shabab’s social media presence, along with slick videos and fluent English commentary, has expanded.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
  • The work taps into an expanding debate about how biological evolution fits within the normal framework of science.
    — Philip Ball, Wired News, 8 June 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Beyond the usual face washes and toners that cleanse, tighten enlarged pores, and gently exfoliate, a top-notch trousseau for oily skin includes face masks and treatments designed to strengthen the skin barrier and keep the pores congestion-free.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 13 June 2025
  • Colonization of the western half of North America enlarged not only the geographic size of the United States, but also its demographic composition.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
Definition of enlarge
Verb
  • Such symptoms may include: itchy mouth, swelling of the skin, especially lips and eyes, skin rash with hives, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, coughing, asthma symptoms, light headedness, passing out and more.
    — Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
  • Before the performance came to a close, Khalifa was overcome with emotion as his tear ducts began to swell.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 10 June 2025
Definition of swell
Verb
  • The state both increased funding for special education and accelerated by one year the commitment to fully funding the Education Cost Sharing formula, through which most state aid for local education flows.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
  • Iran’s nuclear program accelerated after the breakdown of the 2015 nuclear agreement which halted international inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
    — Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 14 June 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 19 Jun. 2025.

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