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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
In some locations, as many as three or four distinct swell patterns may exist; voyagers distinguish them by size, shape, strength and direction in relation to prevailing winds. —The Conversation, 14 May 2025 Some folks obviously will trim their monthly entertainment spend, but if history is a guide, TV and streaming platforms may not take that big a hit — and could even see their subscriber numbers swell. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Republican reconciliation bill that narrowly passed the House on Thursday promises to add to the U.S.'s swelling deficit, which one economist warns could raise borrowing costs and wreak havoc on the economy at large. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 This stage includes inflammation of the foot, often due to injury, and there may be redness, warmth, and swelling. —Isabel Casimiro, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
Noun
The big hair matched his baritone and broad shoulders, the kind that come from years of scratching over 10- and 20-foot swells. —Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 12 May 2025 The locals sure aren't, with an increasing number of surfers finally catching on to the islands' stellar swells. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 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
  • Erica’s great grandfather was one of a group of 15 that formed a wine cooperative in Sant’Antioco in 1932, the first in Sardinia.
    — Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • The compact structures make great guest houses, home offices, or creative retreats.
    — Toni Sutton, People.com, 1 June 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
  • 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
  • Mahan won his first term as mayor in 2022 with 51.3% of the vote after residents pushed to move the mayoral election to align with the presidential one to increase voter turnout.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Its first outpost opened in Jackson Hole in 2017, but the brand just expanded to Sedona, Arizona, to debut its second location.
    — Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025
  • The move also expands its compost footprint in the Southeast.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • But fiscal hawks are less enthusiastic about the tax cuts because of the debt projections.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2025
  • However, with revenue projections for the budget year that begins July 1 dimming in the months since the governor made his proposal, legislators approved some new ideas to bring in more money, including changes that would allow Illinois to tax offshore and out-of-state corporate profits.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Definition of projection
Noun
  • The next wave of competitive advantage will come from how well companies design their organizations to align human intelligence with AI insights.
    — Ahsan Shah, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Kudos to Biel for bucking the trend of long, beachy waves; breaking from that homogeneity is refreshing to see on screen.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • This is an excellent time to invest, pitch a creative idea or spruce up your portfolio.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 June 2025
  • Greenery also makes an excellent addition to a resortcore space.
    — Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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