1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the number of students who stay home sick balloons every winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the paper bag ballooned and blew away as the wind lifted it skyward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balloon
Oakland is facing post-pandemic struggles similar to those of other California cities, but the money spent on worker salaries — including overtime pay for police officers and firefighters — has ballooned the city’s shortfalls to levels not seen since the Great Recession.
—
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
Accruing interest that makes balances balloon over time.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
That stroke of fortune helped Verstappen build up a seemingly insurmountable lead which ballooned out to 18 seconds at one point.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
Oklahoma State ballooned the advantage to 5-1 in the fifth on an RBI double by Hasler and a run-scoring groundout by Karli Godwin,
Arkansas made a pitching change in the fifth inning, replacing Herron with Burnham.
—Ethan Westerman, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
Accruing interest that makes balances balloon over time.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
That stroke of fortune helped Verstappen build up a seemingly insurmountable lead which ballooned out to 18 seconds at one point.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
Oklahoma State ballooned the advantage to 5-1 in the fifth on an RBI double by Hasler and a run-scoring groundout by Karli Godwin,
Arkansas made a pitching change in the fifth inning, replacing Herron with Burnham.
—Ethan Westerman, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
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Whether that caution slows adoption or increases security maturity remains to be seen, but the message is unambiguous: the era of unchecked AI optimism in federal cybersecurity is over.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The company said an indicator light on the vehicle fails to light up and warn drivers of a traction control system or dynamic stability control system issue, increasing the likelihood of them crashing.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Alleging an intrusive shed, a protruding carport and sprinkler damage, a Meridian church has taken legal action against a longtime neighbor.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
30 May 2025
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Using a chemical glove box, a polycarbonate glass box with protruding gloves that shields substances from oxygen and moisture, scientists combined the berkelium metal with an organic molecule containing only carbon and hydrogen to create a chemical reaction.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This could further exacerbate the challenges facing first-time homebuyers in the state, who are struggling to get on the property ladder due to historically high mortgage rates, rising prices, and growing housing costs.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
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Keeler isn’t the first Notre Dame graduate to rise in the Navy ranks.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Verb
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That victory put O’Malley back in the rankings. O’Malley’s next bout ended in a no contest, when an eye poke in the second round left Pedro Munhoz unable to continue.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev poked fun at the explosive war of words between U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, offering to mediate peace between the two political allies.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Sinusitis, which means inflammation of the sinuses, can result in pain, tenderness or even swelling in or around different parts of your face and head such as your eyes, ears, cheeks, forehead, mouth, teeth, throat and head in general as well.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Untold pieces of protest art also were created in public spaces across the U.S. – from murals honoring Floyd, to calls for justice and support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which swelled in the wake of Floyd's death.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Photos posted online showed the snake arrived at a Virginia animal hospital with a bulging body.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
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This week, they’re dominated by the moon, which enters its bulging gibbous phase in advance of next week’s full strawberry moon.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
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With attacks accelerating in pace and intensity, organizations cannot afford slow, laborious reporting structures.—
Travis Runty,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Prior roles at Roku, Amazon, and Google reflect a consistent track record of driving platform growth, accelerating advertiser adoption, and shaping go-to-market strategies across streaming, e-commerce, and digital advertising.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The terminal was expanded in 2023. 2012: Paul Konerko hit a tie-breaking three-run home run — his 400th with the Chicago White Sox — in a 12-6 win over the Cleveland Indians.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
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Now in its fourth year, Bleak Week is expanding across the country — and, via the Prince Charles Cinema, across the pond to London — to hold screenings at 11 venues in eight cities.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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