swell 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of swellnext
1
as in great
of the very best kind what a swell time we had at the country club dance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in happening
being in the latest or current fashion in its heyday as a summer resort, the town was known for its swanky hotels and swell restaurants

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swell

2 of 3

verb

ˈswel How to pronounce swell (audio)
1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the club membership has really swelled in recent months

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to expand
to make greater in size, amount, or number more layoffs will swell the ranks of the unemployed to unprecedented levels

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3
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point at that point the Congo River swells and forms Malebo Pool

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swell

3 of 3

noun

1
as in projection
a part that sticks out from the general mass of something the graceful swell of the bottle was meant to be evocative of the female figure

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wave
a moving ridge on the surface of water huge swells overwhelmed the tiny craft

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swell differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swell are amplify, dilate, distend, expand, and inflate. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

In what contexts can amplify take the place of swell?

The synonyms amplify and swell are sometimes interchangeable, but amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When might dilate be a better fit than swell?

While the synonyms dilate and swell are close in meaning, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

When could distend be used to replace swell?

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

a distended abdomen

When would expand be a good substitute for swell?

Although the words expand and swell 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 swell?

While in some cases nearly identical to swell, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

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 swell
Adjective
At the time the boat capsized, the weather was allegedly 30 knot winds and 6-8 foot swell, per the release. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 22 June 2025 The line between triumph and tragedy is incredibly thin, and 100 Foot Wave conveys that simultaneous elation and danger with every swooping drone shot of a surfer cutting a line through a swell and every splash of filmy foam on the camera lens. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 May 2025
Verb
With the lead swelled to three, 5-2, Alex Vesia – perhaps Roberts’ most reliable relief option – struck out two of three in the eighth. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 26 July 2025 Interest in the Epstein scandal continues to swell in Washington. —Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
Noun
Arsenal fans online seemed to be in unison against this potential signing, but there has since been a swell of support for Madueke. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 10 July 2025 Some areas experienced swells of up to 2 feet of water. —Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for swell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swell
  1. great
  2. happening
  3. increase
  4. expand
  5. protrude
  6. projection
  7. wave
  8. excellent
Adjective
  • But the need to tell America’s stories has never been greater.
    — Carrie Lozano, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025
  • With a solid data foundation, external factors like fuel prices or carrier availability can be incorporated into planning with greater confidence.
    — Clemente Theotokis, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • While the overarching trend for fall is still lowest maintenance possible, there's a bit more happening than your typical sunny blondes and balayage brunettes.
    — Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2020
  • What was once a sleepy college town next to a railroad stop is now one of the most happening cities in the state of Texas.
    — Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2018
Definition of happening
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 International Energy Agency projects electric vehicles will increase grid demand by 40-60% in high-adoption regions like ours.
    — Mark McNees, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • The 8000 was born after the engineers at GE Aerospace reconfigured the Passport’s software and McCullough’s team expanded the fuel capacity in the wings.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
  • Plans to redevelop and expand Whitefish Bay's Sendik's Food Market would put a new two-story store on a prominent Silver Spring Drive corner just east of the grocer's existing location, which would be demolished and turned into a parking lot.
    — Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • That power runs through a six-speed sequential gearbox, controlled via a large handle protruding between us, just beside the equally tall handbrake.
    — Sean Evans, Robb Report, 29 July 2025
  • Then on September 15, 2024, as Trump was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida, a Secret Service agent, authorities said, saw Routh's rifle protruding through the golf course fence and opened fire.
    — Peter Aitken Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • In Kentucky, projections are that 200,000 people lose their health care, 20,000 people lose their health care jobs.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Sales in its online store topped analysts projections and grew 11% year over year, while seller services revenue also beat expectations.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of projection
Noun
  • No, corn sweat is not the primary cause behind the heat wave Cincinnati is experiencing this week.
    — Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 24 July 2025
  • That middle-aged wave of insomnia has taught me not to take restful sleep for granted.
    — Gwen Rockwood, Arkansas Online, 24 July 2025
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • One of the best examples is her novel Made for Love, perhaps better known as an HBO show starring the excellent Cristin Milioti.
    — The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
  • Aloe vera is low-maintenance, making the houseplant an excellent option for beginner houseplant owners, who don’t have much time for excessive plant care.
    — Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2025
Definition of excellent

Browse Nearby Words

sweet tooth
swell
swelled
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Cite this Entry

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

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