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
But the information-gathering efforts provide a blueprint for how a legislative agenda billed as a campaign against wasteful spending and liberal bias has ballooned into one that potentially targets any campus activity or course acknowledging diversity, race, or gender.
—
Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
By the time South Elgin scored its first point of the second half on a free throw with 1:20 left, a one-possession deficit had ballooned to 40-20.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
Since then, the cost has ballooned to $113 billion and the project's scope has been dramatically scaled down to a 171-mile railway connecting Bakersfield, Fresno and Merced that isn't expected to be operational until 2030.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 24 Jan. 2025
As the hours passed, word spread, investors piled in, and the price of TRUMP ballooned.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for balloon 
Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
By the time South Elgin scored its first point of the second half on a free throw with 1:20 left, a one-possession deficit had ballooned to 40-20.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
Since then, the cost has ballooned to $113 billion and the project's scope has been dramatically scaled down to a 171-mile railway connecting Bakersfield, Fresno and Merced that isn't expected to be operational until 2030.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 24 Jan. 2025
As the hours passed, word spread, investors piled in, and the price of TRUMP ballooned.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
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Though Congress began its new session just a little over a month ago, its approval rating has increased among Americans, according to new data from Gallup.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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Easy solution: increase the toll to keep more cars out of Midtown.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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With a large, sail-like dorsal fin protruding from their backs and shimmery scales, these fish have a distinctive appearance.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Feb. 2025
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Last month, Daniel White lifted up his red jail uniform to show a small node of medication the size of a walnut that protruded from his belly.—
Ethan Varian,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The average tariff on all U.S. imports would rise from less than 3% to about 20%, Ashworth estimated.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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Between July 2020 and July 2024, Census Bureau figures show the state's population rose from 29.1 million to 31.3 million, an increase of almost four eight percent in just four years.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Doctor Who star poked fun at Trump during his remarks, earning loud applause from an audience packed with Hollywood stars.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
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First, Murray poked fun at how there has only been one Black anchor of the segment: Michael Che, who has had the role alongside Jost since 2014.—
William Vaillancourt,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Dairy may cause a serious allergic reaction such as hives, swelling, and trouble breathing (anaphylaxis).—
Allison Herries,
Verywell Health,
10 Feb. 2025
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The station agent suffered a gash to her face, swelling and pain.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On the field, Orozco was successful in her first season before missing last year due to the aforementioned bulging disc.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Things take a turn when Gregory enters the room, muscles bulging under his cardigan, looking for left-handed scissors.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The demonstration was organized by the service workers' union ver.di, with participants marching through the streets around 10:30 a.m. when the suspect's vehicle overtook a police escort, accelerated, and struck the crowd from behind, police said.—
Security & Defense Reporter Ellie Cook , reporting from Munich,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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The investment helps to accelerate Mikuni’s goal of expanding to 50 locations by its 50th anniversary, Arai said in a news release announcing the deal.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Immigrant advocates have pushed to shore up those protections with a federal bill that would expand visa eligibility for workers cooperating with regulators to expose labor violations, so far without success.—
Emily Alpert Reyes,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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Look, $100 million on initiatives like expanding atheism in Nepal.—
Linda Qiu,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near balloon
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
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