swell

To become bigger or fuller, often because of liquid or pressure inside.

• My ankle began to swell.
• The beans swelled after soaking overnight.
• Has your knee swollen again?

How to use it: swell up (My hand began to swell up after the sting.)

Similar words: expand, enlarge

Opposites: shrink

Common phrases: swell up, swell with water, swell in size

To make something bigger or increase its amount or number.

• Heavy rain can swell the river.
• New arrivals swelled the town’s population.
• Their donations have swollen our funds.

Similar words: increase, enlarge, boost

Opposites: reduce, shrink

Common phrases: swell the ranks, swell the numbers, swell a river

To gradually become louder or stronger.

• The music began to swell.
• Applause swelled as the singer returned.
• Their voices swelled until everyone could hear them.

How to use it: swell into something (The quiet voices swelled into a powerful chorus.)

Similar words: build, intensify

Opposites: fade, diminish

Common phrases: music swell, swell in volume, swell into something

A series of long, rolling waves on the sea, often continuing after the wind stops.

• The boat rose on the swell.
• A heavy swell made the crossing uncomfortable.
• Long swells rolled towards the coast.

Common phrases: heavy swell, ocean swell, gentle swell