swell
verb (used without object)
to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.
has swollen
-
present perfectof swell (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
“The rain has swollen the river to a thick brown muscle, humped up in the middle by its own force,” Cal notices, inspecting the ground where Rachel’s body was found.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
The persistent deluge - which is gradually easing according to weather reports - has swollen waterways throughout the region.
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2025
America’s worst bout of inflation in four decades has swollen the cost of your dog or cat’s visit to the animal doctor.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 12, 2022
It threatens to overwhelm Costa Rica's asylum system and has swollen already record Central American migration numbers to the United States.
From Reuters ● Sep. 2, 2021
“Have you any idea how much my kingdom has swollen in this past century alone, how many subdivisions I've had to open?”
From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan
