1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the number of students who stay home sick balloons every winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the paper bag ballooned and blew away as the wind lifted it skyward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balloon
Well-meaning friends and family (Looking at you, Grandma!) add to the pile with their own gifts, which tend to balloon around the holidays and birthdays.
—
Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 16 May 2025
That has led Social Security beneficiaries who have had their payments garnished to balloon by 3,000% — from approximately 6,200 beneficiaries to 192,300 — between 2001 and 2019, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
—Matt Sedensky, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Boston built a double-digit lead in the first quarter, ballooned it to 20 in the second, and pushed it as high as 31 before easing off the gas in the fourth.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
Hayden appeared before a Congressional committee earlier in the week, facing questions from a library modernization project whose cost has ballooned while completion deadlines have been repeatedly delayed.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 16 May 2025
That has led Social Security beneficiaries who have had their payments garnished to balloon by 3,000% — from approximately 6,200 beneficiaries to 192,300 — between 2001 and 2019, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
—Matt Sedensky, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Boston built a double-digit lead in the first quarter, ballooned it to 20 in the second, and pushed it as high as 31 before easing off the gas in the fourth.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
Hayden appeared before a Congressional committee earlier in the week, facing questions from a library modernization project whose cost has ballooned while completion deadlines have been repeatedly delayed.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
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In the past 12 months alone, revenue increased 8.1% from $372 billion to $400 billion.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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These stressors seem to be taking a toll; measurements show anxiety and sleep deprivation among adolescents are rising, and even teen suicide attempts are increasing.—
Clara Moskowitz,
Scientific American,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Using metal detectors and magnetometers, the team was able to locate large bits of steel and iron protruding from the seafloor that turned out to be parts of the frame and windlass, the machine used to reel in the anchor.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
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One of the biggest surprises of the 2025 Met Gala is Rihanna’s protruding belly.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2025
Verb
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This surge reflects growing investor confidence in NuScale’s distinctive position within the nuclear energy industry, propelled by rising electricity demand amid the AI boom and the swift progression of global electrification.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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But rising temperatures also appear to be making many species smaller.—
Benji Jones,
Vox,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Within seconds, Phaedra poked fun at newbies Brit Eady, Angela Oakley, and Kelli Ferrell.—
Robyn Merrett,
StyleCaster,
25 May 2025
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These two words have become an international meme, poking fun at Trump, especially since Putin ignored him.—
Trudy Rubin,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Sinusitis, which means inflammation of the sinuses, can result in pain, tenderness or even swelling in or around different parts of your face and head such as your eyes, ears, cheeks, forehead, mouth, teeth, throat and head in general as well.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Untold pieces of protest art also were created in public spaces across the U.S. – from murals honoring Floyd, to calls for justice and support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which swelled in the wake of Floyd's death.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
26 May 2025
Verb
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After weeks of treatment his body is still skeletal, bones bulging through his skin.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
16 May 2025
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Subsequent scans revealed that the kitten had fluid on her lungs and showed signs of a hiatal hernia, which is when part of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Businesses ready to explore how crypto payments can accelerate growth are invited to connect directly through the Vantack platform.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Comment with strategy and purpose The next secret to accelerated growth lives in your LinkedIn commenting strategy.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Dowling’s donation comes as Northwell, New York’s largest health care provider, is actively lobbying the city government on a plan to expand its Lenox Hill Hospital complex on the Upper East Side, filings show.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2025
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The terminal was expanded in 2023. 2012: Paul Konerko hit a tie-breaking three-run home run — his 400th with the Chicago White Sox — in a 12-6 win over the Cleveland Indians.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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