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swell

 
 
pronunciation:
swel
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun, adjective
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun, adjective), Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: swells, swelling, swelled, swollen
definition 1: to increase in volume by inflation, absorption, internal pressure, growth, or the like; expand; distend.
synonyms:
distend, expand, grow, increase
antonyms:
contract, shrink, shrivel
similar words:
balloon, belly, billow, bloat, blow up, dilate, enlarge, inflate, puff, rise, tumefy, wax
definition 2: to increase in amount, intensity, force, or the like.
The sound swelled louder and louder.The deficit is swelling each year.
synonyms:
increase, rise
antonyms:
decrease, shrink, taper, wane
similar words:
augment, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, mount, wax
definition 3: to grow within and rise out; spring or well up.
a fountain swelling from the groundEmotion is swelling in his heart.
synonyms:
rise, spring, well up
similar words:
balloon, billow, burst, grow
definition 4: to bulge out; protrude.
His stomach swells over his belt.
synonyms:
bulge, protrude
similar words:
balloon, billow, jut out, stick out
definition 5: to become inflated with pride or vanity; behave in a pompous manner.
similar words:
bluster, inflate
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition 1: to cause to increase in volume or bulk; inflate; distend.
synonyms:
distend, inflate, tumefy
antonyms:
deflate
similar words:
bloat, dilate, enlarge, protrude
definition 2: to cause to increase in amount, intensity, loudness, force, or the like; augment.
synonyms:
augment, enlarge, escalate, increase, intensify, magnify
antonyms:
decrease
similar words:
raise
definition 3: to fill or affect with strong emotion.
synonyms:
affect, move, touch
similar words:
flush, inflate
definition 4: to cause to bulge out or protrude.
The bee sting has swelled part of the child's arm.
synonyms:
protrude
similar words:
billow, bulge
definition 5: to cause to puff up with vanity or pride.
synonyms:
bloat, inflate
similar words:
puff
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: the act of swelling or a swollen state; inflation; distention.
synonyms:
distention, inflation, swelling
definition 2: an increase in amount, intensity, loudness, force, or the like.
synonyms:
increase
antonyms:
decrease, dip
similar words:
surge
definition 3: a rapid rise of emotion within a person.
a swell of patriotic feelings
synonyms:
flush, surge
definition 4: a long wave or series of waves.
The ship was lifted by the swell.
synonyms:
wave
similar words:
billow, roll
definition 5: a smooth or gradual rise in the land; rounded hill; slight slope.
synonyms:
hillock, mound, slope
antonyms:
dip
similar words:
roll
definition 6: in music, a crescendo followed by a diminuendo, esp. on the same tone.
definition 7: (informal; often pl.) a fashionable, typically wealthy, person.
That street is where all the swells live.
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part of speech: adjective
definition 1: (informal) really fine; excellent; great.
Joey is a swell friend.We had a swell day on the lake today.
synonyms:
dandy, great, jim-dandy, super, terrific
antonyms:
bad, lousy
similar words:
excellent, fine, nice
definition 2: (informal) fashionably elegant; stylish.
She's going to the opera with all her swell friends tonight.How much did they pay for that swell apartment of theirs?
synonyms:
chic, fashionable, smart, stylish
similar words:
elegant
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Word Builder: swell +
  • swelling:
    an area of the body that is swollen.
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