to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.

Pathology . to increase abnormally in size, as by inflation, distention, accumulation of fluids, or the like

Her ankles swelled from standing.

to rise in waves, as the sea.

to well up, as a spring or as tears.

to bulge out, as a sail or the middle of a cask.

to grow in amount, degree, force, etc.

to increase gradually in volume or intensity, as sound

The music swelled.

to arise and grow within one, as a feeling or emotion.

to become puffed up with pride.

to cause to grow in bulk.

to cause to increase gradually in loudness

to swell a musical tone.

to cause (a thing) to bulge out or be protuberant.

to increase in amount, degree, force, etc.

to affect with a strong, expansive emotion.

to puff up with pride.

the act of swelling or the condition of being swollen.

inflation or distention.

a protuberant part.

a wave, esp. when long and unbroken, or a series of such waves.

a gradually rising elevation of the land.

an increase in amount, degree, force, etc.

a gradual increase in loudness of sound.

Music .

a gradual increase (crescendo) followed by a gradual decrease (diminuendo) in loudness or force of musical sound.

the sign ( ) for indicating this.

a device, as in an organ, by which the loudness of tones may be varied.

a swelling of emotion within one.

Slang .

a fashionably dressed person; dandy.

a socially prominent person.

(of things) stylish; elegant

a swell hotel.

(of persons) fashionably dressed or socially prominent.

first-rate; fine

a swell party.

adjective

bad , horrible , shabby

noun

decline , decrease

verb

compress , concentrate , contract , shrink

adjective

awesome , cool * , dandy * , deluxe , desirable , excellent , exclusive , fashionable , fine , fly * , grand , groovy * , keen , marvelous , neat , nifty , plush , posh , ritzy * , smart , stylish , super , terrific , ace , banner , blue-ribbon , brag , capital , champion , first-class , first-rate , prime , quality , splendid , superb , superior , tiptop , top , divine , fabulous , fantastic , fantastical , glorious , sensational , wonderful , (slang) fashionable , bulbous , dandy , distended , distinguished , dropsical , edematous , elegant , exquisite.--n. exquisite , fop , gravid , hypertrophied , incrassate , intumescent , nodal , nodose , nodular , overweening , pompous , protuberant , swollen , tumefacient , tumescent , tumid , turgescent , turgid , undulatory

noun

billow , crescendo , growth , ripple , rise , seat , surf , surge , undulation , uprise , wave , aggrandizement , amplification , augment , augmentation , boost , buildup , enlargement , escalation , hike , jump , multiplication , proliferation , raise , upsurge , upswing , upturn , apophysis , bilge , bulge , edema , elevation , increase , inflation , intumescence , node , nodosity , nodule , protuberance , swelling , tubercle , tumefaction , tumescence , tumidity , turgescence , turgor

verb

accumulate , add to , aggravate , amplify , augment , balloon , become bloated , become distended , become swollen , be inflated , belly , billow , blister , bloat , bulge , dilate , distend , enhance , enlarge , expand , extend , fatten , fill out , grow , grow larger , heighten , increase , intensity , mount , plump , pouch , pout , protrude , puff , puff up , rise , round out , surge , tumefy , uprise , well up , aggrandize , boost , build , build up , burgeon , escalate , magnify , multiply , proliferate , run up , snowball , soar , upsurge , wax , awesome , bilge , bulk , dandy , excellent , fabulous , fashionable , fine , good , grand , groovy , heave , huff , inflate , intensify , intumesce , keen , marvelous , nifty , protuberance , protuberate , strut , stylish , super , surf , swagger , terrific , wave , wonderful