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
Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Allergy season brings airborne irritants, which include tree, grass, and ragweed pollen that trigger immune responses, which cause increased swelling.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Decongestants minimize swelling in your respiratory tract and may clear stuffy noses.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Noun
If the swelling in your lungs exacerbates, however, a dangerous condition called high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) can occur.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Allergy season brings airborne irritants, which include tree, grass, and ragweed pollen that trigger immune responses, which cause increased swelling.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Another effective anti-swelling remedy is a delicious snack that may be hiding in the fridge.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Serious complications include pneumonia, swelling of the brain, death and complications during pregnancy.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Decongestants minimize swelling in your respiratory tract and may clear stuffy noses.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelling
Noun
-
The ticket, which has a one-time lump-sum amount of $118 million, has still not been claimed as of today.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Add American cheese, remaining 1 cup cheddar, and reserved soaking water; stir vigorously until most of the cheese is melted (some small lumps of cheese will remain and that is OK) and water is absorbed.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The rapid melting is also increasing avalanche activity in unusual places.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Yet an increasing number of endurance athletes are taking on these longer ultramarathons.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For Fashion for Good, the accounting technique is key to accelerating the adoption of biosynthetic PET derived from renewable feedstocks such as plants, agricultural residues and organic waste.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Such a tool could help experts grapple with the accelerating pace and volume of mathematical research.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the bathroom, a chemical meant to make trace blood more visible reacted in the sink and the bathtub, while a visible bloodstain was found under the protruding edge of a vanity, Hooks said.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In the video, large swaths of brown earth can be seen protruding patches of mountain snow.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Look, the Royals are better equipped to handle some rotation bumps and bruises.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
An autopsy by the Lake County Coroner’s Office determined the boy was malnourished and had numerous bruises on his body.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While this game was closer than January 19 when UConn won by 38 points in the most-lopsided game in the 57-game series (UConn leads 41-16), the Irish couldn't overcome the rolling Huskies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The crops good enough to incorporate into its Churchills, primeros, and other formats are aged for as long as a presidential term before the rolling process even begins.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tensions are rising nationally as the military operation in Iran continues and ICE officers appear in airports.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Carr acknowledged the rising cost and sometimes inconvenient nature of sports streaming are frustrating fans, arguing the drawbacks ultimately outweigh the benefits.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The scandal is now expanding into an international investigation, placing Miami at the center of a complex web of shell companies, offshore transfers and opaque financial flows.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The rollout will start in Charlotte before expanding to Chicago and Milwaukee.—
Chase Jordan
March 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelling. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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