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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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
When sea conditions are deemed safe enough for a crossing – a swell (the level of the waves) below 70cm and wind at less than 15 knots – the migrants are transported, or make their own way, to the embarkment sites along the northern French coast. —The Week Uk, theweek, 1 Dec. 2024 In the wild, swell sharks are native to the coastal waters of the eastern Pacific. —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
About 1 in 1,000 people develop severe brain swelling. —Daniel Pastula, The Conversation, 28 Feb. 2025 Along with hepatitis, the other leading cause of cirrhosis in the United States is chronic alcoholism and long-term, heavy drinking, which can cause the liver to swell and, over time, lead to cirrhosis, according to the American Liver Foundation. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
There are no swells of violins or soft-focus lip-locks here, just the difficult yet rewarding work of relating to another human being across society and circumstance’s dividing lines. —Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2025 Although there hasn’t been a Super Bowl sized swell of attention around the news of the retailer shuttering, people have been posting. —Callum Booth, Forbes, 25 Feb. 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
  • Although Seattle’s skill talent has been great, Smith has never played behind even an average offensive line, and his last two offensive coordinators weren’t good enough to keep their jobs.
    — Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • By Nellie Bowles March 31, 2020 Get Outside and Safely Visit a National Park Now is the time to start looking ahead, to spring and summer excursions in the great outdoors.
    — Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 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
  • When his playing time increased in the postseason, Garner was prepared to make an impact.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Students online are more likely to have to withdraw from or repeat courses and are less likely to graduate on time, these researchers found, which further increases the cost.
    — Jon Marcus, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • But eight weeks in, the mass deportation effort has rapidly expanded to include immigrants whose application for legal status in the country is under review.
    — Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Its leaders are looking for ways to expand by reaching out to a changing community.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Its most significant physical feature is a segmented tread protruding from its back, and extending to the front of its face.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • In September 2024, suspect Ryan Routh, 59, was detained after Secret Service agents spotted a rifle protruding from a bush while Trump was playing on the golf course.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • The performance combines puppetry, music, projections, and poetry to illuminate the legacy of Ukraine's blind bards.
    — Katya Soldak, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In 1911, motion picture pioneer John J. Murdock invested $6 million into a company called Kinemacolor, which used red and green filters in photography and projection.
    — Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of projection
Noun
  • As reported, the diamond jewelry designer is riding a powerful wave of demand despite a cold climate for luxury, with sales growing in the high double-digits and a new investor in Lingotto Horizon, which is owned by the Agnelli family’s Exor holding.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
  • To ride the skin barrier wave, pack your routine with plenty of nourishing products like iNNBeauty Project’s Extreme Cream and Dr. Barbara Sturm’s new ceramide face oil which will keep your skin glowingly soft and smooth well into summer.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • The Next Chapter in Glenlivet's 200-Year Legacy The Glenlivet brand has been synonymous with excellent single malt since the dawn of the category.
    — Mark Littler, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Few beauty tools offer as excellent lifting benefits as the best gua sha tools.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of excellent

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Cite this Entry

“Swell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swell. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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