1
as in increasing
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 protruding
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
as in dilating
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in soaring
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ballooning
Jeremy Nighohossian, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
If his contract demands start ballooning into Max Fried territory, Atlanta will politely excuse itself.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to talks in Malaysia on Monday aimed at ending their ballooning border dispute.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 27 July 2025
The problem for aging states is that the size of the population that tends to spend the most (people in or close to their 40s) is shrinking, while the proportion of the population that tends to spend significantly less (those 65 years and older) is ballooning.
—Mark L. Haas, Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballooning
Adjective
This was a significant factor in the ballooning of Medicaid.
—Jeremy Nighohossian, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
If his contract demands start ballooning into Max Fried territory, Atlanta will politely excuse itself.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to talks in Malaysia on Monday aimed at ending their ballooning border dispute.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 27 July 2025
The problem for aging states is that the size of the population that tends to spend the most (people in or close to their 40s) is shrinking, while the proportion of the population that tends to spend significantly less (those 65 years and older) is ballooning.
—Mark L. Haas, Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballooning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballooning
Verb
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The team, however, is not increasing season-ticket prices in the upper level, per the spokesperson.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2025
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President Joe Biden maintained those tariffs and added tariffs on other Chinese products, including personal protective equipment, electric vehicles, batteries, and steel, slightly increasing the average tariff on imports from China.—
Michael B. G. Froman,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While tending to their garden this fall, homeowners in upstate New York spotted what appeared to be two giant teeth protruding from the soil, partially concealed by plant fronds.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
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According to the news release, the mastodon jaw was found protruding from the topsoil, which caught the homeowner's attention.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Even immature birds with limited experience were able to navigate mountainous terrain for hours at a time without powered flight, highlighting the species’ extreme specialization for energy-efficient soaring.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
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This sent prices in neighboring Bangladesh soaring, and authorities are scrambling to find new sources for the vegetable. Elsewhere, a drought in Spain took its toll on olive oil production.—
Aniruddha Ghosal, Evelyne Musambi, and Joeal Calupitan,
The Christian Science Monitor,
28 Sep. 2023
Verb
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Operators will have to pay $900 per ton of emissions, rising to $1,500 per ton in a few years.—
Christopher Helman,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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Why Retailers Are Closing Stores And Going Bankrupt Retail store closures and bankruptcies are rising.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On Wednesday, March 19, the couple filmed an Instagram Reel poking fun at their recent red carpet interview with Extra at the grand re-opening of Planet Hollywood in NYC on Tuesday, March 11.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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Generally, a plant whose roots are poking out will be completely root-bound.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For infants born with dilated cardiomyopathy, there is a higher prevalence of an underlying genetic or metabolic condition.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile, Angelo’s crooked corset, Joan’s shredded gown, and team leader Ethan’s bizarre jumpsuit — which reminds Law of a dilated cervix — end up on the bottom.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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His eyesight was failing and his eyes were bloodshot and protuberant.—
Hermione Lee,
The New York Review of Books,
21 Sep. 2022
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Hours and hours of rubbing abrasive pumice across the roughened marble resulted in the lustrous surfaces of the sculpture, including the high sheen of Pan’s taut chest and ribs, muscular right arm, and protuberant belly.—
William A. Wallace,
WSJ,
28 Jan. 2022
Verb
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With re-accelerating inflation on the horizon, another 5%+ inflation over the next four years could easily see gold at $5,000 an ounce.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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These changes disrupt the body's delicate anabolic-catabolic balance, with testosterone promoting tissue growth and libido and cortisol accelerating breakdown and stress responses.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ballooning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballooning. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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