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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Relevance

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
As water seeps into your skin, the upper layers swell, prompting nerves to fire off electrical charges and chemicals that contract blood vessels. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 And while Brown more than merits his spot with the all-time greats, his legacy credentials only swell with his catalog’s prolific sampling for new generations. —Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
In hereditary angioedema, swelling stems from gene changes. —Sarah Hudgens, Health, 22 Apr. 2025 Still, shock spread throughout the Paycom Center as the Thunder’s lead swelled. —Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
This was actually released as a single, though that version did not include the giant church-organ swell. —Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 This year’s show takes place May 30th, 31st, and June 1st, so mark your calendar and cruise into summer with style. 1 of 3 Shoppers can wander Pismo Beach Premium Outlets in search of stylish finds, while surfers can rent boards from shops downtown and ride the mild but steady spring swells. —Cliff Lewis, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 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
  • Cancer, a disease that doesn’t discriminate and spares no one from its reach, has long been one of humanity’s greatest adversaries.
    — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • This is a great UFC Fight Night that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 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
  • Tesla has increased North American sourcing for parts of many models over the last two years, which would decrease tariff exposure for the E41, two people aware of the matter said.
    — Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Those unused hours can, however, be converted to service credit to increase their government pensions.
    — Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • For 2024, the list was expanded to 450 companies and looked at their emissions between 2020 and 2022.
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Capital One is expanding its travel perks, adding exclusive airport lounges, landings (think: snazzy, foodie-forward boutique lounges) and two hotel collections with special benefits.
    — Paul Rubio, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Those bulges protruding like alien offspring are potato, dozens of layers stacked and compressed into golden squares with crisp edges.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • When the mannequin’s arm came off in the scout’s hands – bones protruding – ol’ Elmer became a nationwide mystery.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Both Walker and Wease had received a smattering of mock draft projections.
    — Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2025
  • There is no doubt about his NFL talent, but his ability to handle more of a full-time role is a tricky projection.
    — Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of projection
Noun
  • What is the difference between mermaid waves and beach waves?
    — Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This move could result in a wave of early retirements, Nina Olson, executive director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights, told the Journal of Accountancy.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • In a survey of more than 15,000 users after its rollout in 2024, 90% of respondents ranked their experience as excellent or above average.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Scott McKenna bossing the defence, Fabio Silva scoring goals for fun, Oli McBurnie bashing around and suddenly speaking excellent Spanish… this is a cause to believe in.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Apr. 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 1 May. 2025.

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