as in to expand
to make or become larger especially because of pressure from inside
The illness can cause the stomach to distend.
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Recent Examples of distend
The Most Exciting New Advances in Managing COPD With another strategy, diaphragmatic breathing, patients concentrate on distending their abdomen while taking in air.
—
Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
Abdominal bloating is when the stomach feels full of gas and may become distended (sticks out).
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Sep. 2024
His stomach was distended — a sign of severe malnutrition.
—Joe Snell, Washington Post, 30 July 2024
The dress had been constructed from a boudoir-ish bodice, which distended into a full-skirted ballgown, giving the impression of deliberate deshabillé, as if the design had been left unfinished on the mannequin.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
Their heads are twizzling, their eyes bulging, their teeth ground to the gums, their bowels distended.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023
The silhouettes are distended and reveal the skin beneath these big cobwebs of yarn.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2023
At 6-foot-3, pushing 330 pounds, his appearance was misshapen by a stomach distended with fluid.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2023
An ultrasound revealed that Sugar’s stomach was significantly distended and inflamed and that her pancreas was swollen and inflamed, according to the affidavit.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023
Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
Abdominal bloating is when the stomach feels full of gas and may become distended (sticks out).
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Sep. 2024
His stomach was distended — a sign of severe malnutrition.
—Joe Snell, Washington Post, 30 July 2024
The dress had been constructed from a boudoir-ish bodice, which distended into a full-skirted ballgown, giving the impression of deliberate deshabillé, as if the design had been left unfinished on the mannequin.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
Their heads are twizzling, their eyes bulging, their teeth ground to the gums, their bowels distended.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023
The silhouettes are distended and reveal the skin beneath these big cobwebs of yarn.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2023
At 6-foot-3, pushing 330 pounds, his appearance was misshapen by a stomach distended with fluid.
—Max Blau, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2023
An ultrasound revealed that Sugar’s stomach was significantly distended and inflamed and that her pancreas was swollen and inflamed, according to the affidavit.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distend
Verb
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The chef shares some of her most favorite recipes and meal offerings, with hopes people expand their palates and horizons.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
4 Mar. 2025
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These actions are leaving the U.S. vulnerable despite years of evidence that Russia is committed to continuing and expanding its cyber efforts, according to Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at Issue One, a nonprofit that has studied technology’s impact on democracy.—
David Klepper,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Also known as Triple E, the virus swells the brain, and kills about one in three patients.—
Denise Hruby,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
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The imbalance swelled to a record $131.4 billion in January, a 34% increase from the prior month and nearly double from a year ago.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Accordingly, with no viable domestic production alternative, prices for end-users would increase.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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China is facilitating this by strengthening cooperation with Russia on research and commercial activities, as well as by increasing China's national icebreaker capacity.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Your capillaries, dilated by exercise, carry heat from your core out to your skin.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
19 Feb. 2025
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An anxious cat, however, will have their eyes wide and unblinking, and their pupils will be dilated into an oval or circle, according to Purina.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distend. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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