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
The Nets went cold again as Kawhi Leonard heated up and Harden kept rolling, and the lead ballooned back to 16 in a hurry.
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C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
The point spread, which opened at Eagles minus-3 when the game was determined last Sunday, has ballooned to Eagles minus-6 as of Friday afternoon, according to Draft Kings.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 Jan. 2026
This has likely correlated to the Rock Hall expanding how many artists are put onto the ballot every year, which has ballooned in size due to a more active use of side categories than ever before.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2026
Instead, the initiative paid out more than $21 million in claims in 2021, a figure that quickly ballooned to $104 million in 2024.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for balloon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balloon
Verb
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Hadi of the weather service said those increasing winds could create hazardous marine conditions in South Florida, so swimmers and boaters should stay aware.—
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The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has pushed back the start date of the new Clean Heat Standard (CHS) – a regulatory scheme that increases costs for natural gas, propane and oil providers to support state climate goals – back two years to 2028.—
Verb
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No matter the lens, the novel seems to resist it, always protruding beyond the boundaries imposed upon it.—
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Route 66 Road Relics With its popping turquoise facade and junk cars protruding from the walls, Route 66 Road Relics is hard to miss.—
Verb
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Asia-Pacific markets were mixed Friday, though chip stocks broadly rose.—
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Pricey rooftops Of course, California housing costs rise as you near the water.—
Verb
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The actress hasn't spoken publicly about her dating life, aside from a few TikTok videos poking fun at her singleness.—
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Continue reading … POLITICS POLITICAL THEATER – Vance reposts meme poking fun at Democrats' Jan 6 candlelight vigil.—
Verb
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But the longstanding regime’s grasp on power now appears more tenuous than ever as the swelling opposition movement demands substantive change.—
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Tensions mount in Minneapolis Hundreds of people took to the streets of Minneapolis to protest within hours of Good’s death and demonstrations have continued to swell in the ensuing days.—
Verb
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From self-driving smart trailers with auto-dumping waste tanks to on- and off-road explorers that bulge out in every direction possible to maximize living space, some truly jaw-dropping and inspiring camper vans, travel trailers, large motorhomes and expedition trucks emerged in 2025.—
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According to John Hopkins Medicine, an aneurysm is a weakened or bulging artery wall, and coiling is a procedure used to block blood flow to the aneurysm.—
Verb
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The race to commercialize perovskite technology has accelerated rapidly in recent years.—
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The transfer portal, which opened Friday, allows programs to accelerate the rebuilding process and replace departing players — more than 20 in Florida’s case.—
Verb
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Flywing also plans to expand the competitive side of the platform.—
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Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.—
Cite this Entry
“Balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balloon. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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