swell
verb (used without object)
to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.
were swelling
-
past progressiveof swell.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Photographers began to notice that her bookshelves were swelling with classics and that Monroe could discuss them with fluency.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026
A few hours later, it said several rivers in the area were swelling up and urged people to move away from the banks.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2024
“From March 2020 to July 31, 2020, J.G.'s health deteriorated. His body was covered in a rash, his extremities were swelling, and he was not gaining weight,” according to the complaint.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 31, 2023
Among the symptoms were swelling, pain, lumps and changes in the skin.
From New York Times ● Sep. 8, 2022
Then she realized what had happened: Buds were swelling on the branches of all the dry trees.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
