as in expands
to make or become larger especially because of pressure from inside
The illness can cause the stomach to distend.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distends
Verb
-
The tax law also expands Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in shorter-term workforce training programs.
-
The temporary rule expands that list to 29 specific degree programs, including master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, and doctor of nurse anesthesia practice.
Verb
-
Most people only hear about it when a lymph node swells during a cold, or when a social media video promises a gua sha stone will detox their face.
-
And if out-of-towners are visiting, the ranks of the older timers swells a few more.
Verb
-
During pregnancy, iron demand increases to support both the baby and placenta, while postpartum recovery can further lower ferritin due to blood loss.
-
Beginning a section of rules with a short explanation about the rule’s purpose makes a more positive statement to the community, and hopefully increases community compliance and cooperation.
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.
Cite this Entry
“Distends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distends. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
