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
1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the club membership has really swelled in recent months
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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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3
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
at that point the Congo River swells and forms Malebo Pool
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swell
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
With a choir and orchestra arranged by Axel Stordahl, the strings swell to heart-leaping proportions, while Sinatra keeps things sedate and sanguine with an undramatic vocal, which drips with a warm camaraderie.
—Emma Madden, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024
Ian Penman, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
More:Measles continues to spread as Texas outbreak rises to 48 cases: Here's what to know
Given that measles is extremely contagious and can cause severe complications including pneumonia and brain swelling, the drop in vaccination rates is concerning.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
The fires, as the past several weeks have more than demonstrated, caused a massive swell of community care and mutual aid.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
Adjective
The two swell sharks have been in a female-only habitat at the Shreveport Aquarium for more than three years.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
With a choir and orchestra arranged by Axel Stordahl, the strings swell to heart-leaping proportions, while Sinatra keeps things sedate and sanguine with an undramatic vocal, which drips with a warm camaraderie.
—Emma Madden, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
The heart swells with joy, even as ashes swirl and collect.
—Ian Penman, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
More:Measles continues to spread as Texas outbreak rises to 48 cases: Here's what to know
Given that measles is extremely contagious and can cause severe complications including pneumonia and brain swelling, the drop in vaccination rates is concerning.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
Nothing came close to fruition, team sources said, though there was a swell of hope as the day wore on.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
The fires, as the past several weeks have more than demonstrated, caused a massive swell of community care and mutual aid.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swell
Adjective
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Those extra hours—for fewer rewards—can contribute to women’s greater fatigue, health problems, and burnout.—
Michelle Travis,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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Neither of them were the person who issued the bounty, which came from Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, husband of all-time tennis great Serena Williams and a lifelong Commanders fan, less than a week before Carrion pulled the card.—
Larry Holder,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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Meanwhile, about 90 minutes from L.A., Hollywood power couple John Legend and Chrissy Teigen have expanded their West Coast property portfolio with a vacation getaway in the mountain community of Lake Arrowhead.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The role has expanded into areas like physical security and global technology infrastructure.—
Aleksandr Yampolskiy,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Its most significant physical feature is a segmented tread protruding from its back, and extending to the front of its face.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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In September 2024, suspect Ryan Routh, 59, was detained after Secret Service agents spotted a rifle protruding from a bush while Trump was playing on the golf course.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Canadian company is responsible for the cameras and projection systems that allow movies to be seen on the biggest screens around the world.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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Nvidia’s projection of $43 billion in sales for the current quarter — a 65% increase — was about $1 billion more than analysts projected, the Journal noted.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Well Walmart gapped down after reporting earnings and that sparked a wave of selling on Wall Street.—
Adam Sarhan,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Depending on the formula, ingredients like polymers and powders create lift and definition—perfect for everything from soft waves to slick backs—while humectants keep your hair hydrated for a glossy, smooth finish.—
Siena Gagliano,
Allure,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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More Deebo Samuel news: 49ers Send Star WR Deebo Samuel to Commanders in Blockbuster Trade Samuel will take his talents to the nation's capital and look to take the Commanders to the next level after an excellent year for the young Washington team.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Alabama got 24 points from Mark Sears and had excellent defensive stretches but couldn’t finish.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
2 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to swell
Cite this Entry
“Swell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swell. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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