dilate

verb

Definition of dilatenext
as in to distend

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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 Confronted with the sudden increase in heat, your cardiovascular system is put to the test – blood vessels dilate, heart rate increases and blood gets pushed to your skin, where it can be cooled more easily by sweat. —Will Stone, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026 In the later stages, skin will turn blue, pupils will dilate, and pulse and breathing slow. —Brayden Garcia january 21, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026 The second drug, misoprostol, taken 24 to 48 hours later, causes the uterus to contract and dilate the cervix, which will expel the embryo. —Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2026 For instance, if a listener’s pupils dilate unnaturally during a conversation, signifying strain, the hearing aid could automatically engage a more aggressive noise suppression mode or narrow its directional microphone beam. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilate
  1. distend
  2. inflate
  3. increase
  4. augment
  5. expand
  6. enlarge
  7. swell
  8. accelerate
Verb
  • In his songs, the English language turned woolier and more expressionistic; musical space-time distended and stretched.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • His abdomen became distended, and his behavior changed — enough to concern caregivers.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of distend
Verb
  • Turkey vehemently rejects the label, conceding many died in that era but insisting the death toll is inflated and the deaths resulted from civil unrest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
  • The inner material, or bladder, is the portion of the speed bag that’s inflated to give the speed bag its shape and bounce.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Definition of inflate
Verb
  • Salah’s comments followed a limp 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Friday that increased criticism of Slot and questions about his future in the job.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • In Los Angeles, for example, the city spent more than 50 million dollars in 2021 on policing homelessness, yet unsheltered homelessness still increased.
    — Shianne LeClaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Cleveland could augment, perhaps even with Giannis.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
  • Harry Styles' stage is a pop playground Styles’ laudable core band – anchored by his longtime drummer, the indefatigable Sarah Jones, who makes tricky beats look simple – was augmented by strings and horns on several tracks, a testament to his ambitious musical aspirations.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Definition of augment
Verb
  • Officials allege the group sold the oil under false pretenses and used the profits to sustain and expand the original food fraud scheme.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
  • The potential downside of a long layoff has been a hot topic in baseball ever since MLB expanded its playoff field in 2022, awarding first-round byes to the top-two seeds in each league.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Because when an encounter — with a lover, a friend, a stranger or a new film by Ryusuke Hamaguchi — takes you to a place that transforms you, enlarges you and heals the hairline cracks where all the hope keeps leaking out, there is no such thing as too long spent there.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • The paintings are constructed, a collage—a tree moved, enlarged, reduced as the composition requires.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
Definition of enlarge
Verb
  • Regulators stood down, competition was crushed or acquired, and profit margins swelled to levels with few historical precedents.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 May 2026
  • The inflammation will show as irritation, redness, and swelling.
    — Brandi Jones, Health, 19 May 2026
Definition of swell
Verb
  • China's economy appeared to be starting the year on a strong note, with GDP growth accelerating to 5% in the first quarter.
    — Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 May 2026
  • Their hand is also forced by climate change, war and the accelerating rush for timber and minerals.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
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 20 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dilate

Nglish: Translation of dilate for Spanish Speakers

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