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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Killer Dana’s demise came with the build-out of the Dana Point Harbor in 1966, a county project that put boat moorings where waves once rolled into shore, the rock jetty blocking the swell energy. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2025 Big surf again for cruisers to or near Bermuda early in the week, some swell into the Bahamas even too. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms, such as hives and lip swelling, to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems. —News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 Laing also cautioned that sardines contain purines, which may cause a buildup of uric acid and worsen symptoms like joint pain and swelling for people with gout. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Number of the day 7 That’s how many unoccupied homes have collapsed in North Carolina’s Outer Banks amid large swells and rough surf caused by a pair of storm systems churning in the Atlantic. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025 His nervous piano keys and synth swells are a big part of what makes One Battle’s nearly-three-hour runtime fly by. —Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 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
  • For those who are ready to trade in their simple drip coffee set up for something a bit more advanced, Seattle Coffee Gear is a great independent retailer for coffee-brewing appliances and accessories.
    — Melissa Knific, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Being a great place to work is about structure as well as culture, whether the business in question is listed, family-owned or private equity-backed.
    — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Fortune, 9 Oct. 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
  • Thus, even if a farmer primarily relied on corn for sustenance and/or trade, planting beans and squash alongside the maize increased the nutritive value of the same area.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The alliance should also increase its training with an eye toward degrading or destroying the Kaliningrad facilities should direct hostilities break out.
    — James Stavridis, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • The nursery did well, so Kids Planet began to expand.
    — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The team plans to expand the research to evaluate inhaler emissions in specific patient groups, such as Medicaid recipients, and to compare clinical outcomes of low- and high-emission inhalers in the same therapeutic class.
    — Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Electronic doors give cars a high-tech aura and may modestly reduce wind resistance because their exterior handles typically do not protrude from the door.
    — Jack Ewing, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In aircraft design, various components can protrude from the plane’s body and disrupt this smooth airflow, introducing turbulence and increasing drag.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Reflect Orbital’s own staggering projection of 250,000 satellites still calculates to only delivering the target 20% of midday sun to a very limited number of regions simultaneously.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Oilers Make Major Decision on Connor McDavid Future Hockey fans may remember when Hutson, in his draft year, significantly dropped after consistent first-round projections.
    — Greg Liodice, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of projection
Noun
  • The first wave of Airpark projects includes a 14,500-square-foot structure for jets, a 37,500-square-foot hangar for large aircraft and a 1,000-square-foot customs inspection facility.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Given the creeper hit status that Detectorists is gaining internationally, what’s to say this won’t be the next gentle and whimsical scripted show quietly making waves over coming months and years?
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • Sims said Kaiser offers competitive pay and excellent health benefits, and is already reducing internal costs to make its latest wage offer to the Alliance of Health Care Unions — of which UNAC/UCHP is a member.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Alabama’s Ty Simpson was excellent, finishing 23-for-31 for 200 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
    — Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2025.

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