as in lump
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue
the swelling at the site of the insect bite was not too concerning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in surging
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in increasing
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the club membership has really swelled in recent months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerating
to make greater in size, amount, or number
more layoffs will swell the ranks of the unemployed to unprecedented levels
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point
at that point the Congo River swells and forms Malebo Pool
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of swelling
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
27 June 2026
Tender swelling, redness or warmth — sometimes with painful or frequent urination or fever — may be epididymitis, the condition Johnson had.
—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Another effective anti-swelling remedy is a delicious snack that may be hiding in the fridge.
—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
27 Oct. 2025
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
21 June 2026
Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance played in just four games last season after swelling followed his rehab of a torn ACL suffered in February, 2025.
—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Noun
Patients most often notice symptoms like swelling and fatigue, as Williams did.
—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
27 June 2026
Tender swelling, redness or warmth — sometimes with painful or frequent urination or fever — may be epididymitis, the condition Johnson had.
—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
Adjective
The hope was this would mean less swelling, less pain and, potentially, a significantly faster recovery.
—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Another effective anti-swelling remedy is a delicious snack that may be hiding in the fridge.
—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
If your dog was seen interacting with a snake and subsequently develops swelling, weakness, excessive drooling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or collapse, then they should be evaluated by a veterinarian right away, says Hyder.
—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
21 June 2026
Kentucky forward Jayden Quaintance played in just four games last season after swelling followed his rehab of a torn ACL suffered in February, 2025.
—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelling
Noun
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Far from lumps of rock, the trojans, along with DJ and Dinkinesh (which is the Ethiopian name for the Lucy fossil), are windows into the past, and the storytellers of the Earth's most ancient history.
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Rather than receiving a lump-sum loan upfront, borrowers can access a credit line as needed during the draw period (up to the credit limit).
Adjective
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The National Interagency Fire Center reported that nearly 3 million acres have burned across the country since the start of the year, faster than the rolling 10-year average.
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Cars will quickly overheat, and power outages and rolling brownouts are possible.
Verb
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As summer arrives, snow begins melting, ice hardens and rocks loosen, increasing the risk of falls and rockfall.
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When patients can’t pay, hospitals absorb the costs and pass them onto people with insurance by increasing prices, studies show.
Verb
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The financial struggles led to them not being able to pay vendors, which led key brands to stop sending the retailers products to sell, further accelerating its decline.
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The move comes amid rising demand for local asset servicing, with Saudi Arabia accelerating the development of its capital markets as part of its Vision 2030 agenda.
Verb
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And while certainly shaken up, the driver and passenger (also test dummies in this case) likely could have walked away without being struck by shattered glass or a protruding antler.
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Features such as surface roughness and protruding fibers create more sites where particles can stick to the outer surface rather than passing through.
Noun
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Thomas showed photos to CBS News Chicago Investigators of blood left behind from the gash to the back of his head, and scrapes and bruises to his face.
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Lawren, who plays varsity basketball, is still recovering from bruises to her shoulder, arm and back according to the notice.
Verb
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The camp is open to rising high school juniors and seniors, and most of the attendees were from Lake and Porter counties.
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By Saturday the official death toll had climbed past 1,400, with thousands injured and tens of thousands reported missing—figures the authorities acknowledged were still rising.
Verb
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Your 12th House of Rest and Reflection opens wider as Jupiter arrives, expanding your inner world and asking for generous rest that renews focus.
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This diverse, global podcast journalism is vital for informing creators, advertisers, and the expanding audience, reflecting podcasting's evolving identity and widespread appeal.
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelling. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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