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
The total budget, by that point, had ballooned past $18 million, excluding tax credits.
—
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
The marauding swarms ratcheted up Cleveland’s frustration as the game went on and the lead ballooned, first by forcing the bigger Cavs to go small to match up, then by wearing them down with waves of defenders and hands.
—John Hollinger, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
The three-month fiscal year 2025 deficit ballooned to $710.9 billion in December, nearly 40% above than the same period the previous year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury reported on Tuesday.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
The ratio of crew to passengers is roughly the same, about 2 to 1; but the number of guests on the new boat has ballooned from 650 to 4,300.
—Mark Gauert, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for balloon 
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
The marauding swarms ratcheted up Cleveland’s frustration as the game went on and the lead ballooned, first by forcing the bigger Cavs to go small to match up, then by wearing them down with waves of defenders and hands.
—John Hollinger, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
The three-month fiscal year 2025 deficit ballooned to $710.9 billion in December, nearly 40% above than the same period the previous year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury reported on Tuesday.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
The ratio of crew to passengers is roughly the same, about 2 to 1; but the number of guests on the new boat has ballooned from 650 to 4,300.
—Mark Gauert, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
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Another 2021 study found that sleep deprivation increased levels of cortisol during interpersonal conflict.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
26 Jan. 2025
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Taxes increased, public spending was reined in, and price controls were largely abolished.—
Marina P. Asins,
Architectural Digest,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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What stands out in photos taken in the arena is that the cameras really protrude, perhaps emphasized by the phone’s thin profile.—
David Phelan,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Here are some of the latest discoveries: Family spots wood sticking out of sand dune — and finds historic item in New Zealand In New Zealand, a family stumbled upon a piece of wood protruding from a sand dune, which turned out to be a historic artifact.—
Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The resort is also known for golf; its 18th hole is one of Wisconsin’s finest: the tee lies atop the Niagara Escarpment, a wall of rock that rises out of the water like a skyscraper.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
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Significantly, solar power rose 21.7% to generate more than 11% of the EU’s electricity, while a fall in coal generation led to the most polluting fossil fuel producing just 9.8% of the total.—
David Vetter,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Timothée Chalamet playfully poked fun at himself during his Saturday Night Live monologue on Jan. 25.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2025
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Terrence Mann approached to set a screen, but Springer stayed attached to Porter Jr.’s body, shuffled his feet to cut off Porter Jr.’s drive and poked the ball away with his left hand.—
Jay King,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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His vision blurred and his eyes swelled in the smoke.—
Eli Saslow,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
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Since 2020, though, those ripples have seemed more like swelling and crashing waves in the wake of the pandemic.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Over the last three games alone, the free-throw disparity has bulged to 42 attempts and 33 makes.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
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Extensive records of the restoration, filling two bulging binders, are included in the auction lot, along with all those concours trophies, the original driver’s manuals, and an original Miura tool kit.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In 1990, its northern drift accelerated, increasing from 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) per year to 34.2 miles (55 kilometers) per year, Chulliat said.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN,
21 Jan. 2025
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Nevitt said that the invocation of the Defense Production Act, which can be used to accelerate manufacturing, is also possible.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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During the month of January, sky gazers will be able to see four planets in one view — and come February, the parade will only expand.—
Caitlin O'Kane,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2025
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The new store will also greatly expand the selection of artist and band merchandise and audio equipment like turntables and speakers, as well as new and used vinyl and CDs.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near balloon
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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