swell
verb (used without object)
to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.
had swollen
-
past perfectof swell.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Before his Nov. 25, 2020, death by a heart attack, Maradona’s belly had swollen like a beach ball, and his heart was covered in fat and blood clots.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026
Rafah’s population had swollen to more than one million as Gazans displaced from their homes fled to the area earlier in the conflict.
From New York Times ● May 27, 2024
Last year at COP27 in Egypt, the numbers had swollen by a quarter, with more than 600 representatives there.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2023
And supply-chain snarls that had swollen the prices of cars, furniture, appliances and other physical goods have mostly unwound.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 8, 2023
My face had swollen and was puffy and old-looking.
From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler
