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Some common synonyms of dilate<\/em> are amplify<\/em><\/a>, distend<\/em><\/a>, expand<\/em><\/a>, inflate<\/em><\/a>, and swell<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to increase in size or volume,\" dilate<\/em> applies especially to expansion of circumference.<\/p>

\/\/ dilated<\/em> pupils<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'amplify' a more appropriate choice than 'dilate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words amplify<\/em><\/a> and dilate<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, amplify<\/em> implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.<\/p>

\/\/ amplify<\/em> the statement with details<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'distend' be used instead of 'dilate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words distend<\/em><\/a> and dilate<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distend<\/em> implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.<\/p>

\/\/ a distended<\/em> abdomen<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'expand' be a reasonable alternative to 'dilate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words expand<\/em><\/a> and dilate<\/em> have much in common, expand<\/em> may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).<\/p>

\/\/ a business that expands<\/em> every year<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'inflate' instead of 'dilate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms inflate<\/em><\/a> and dilate<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate<\/em> implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.<\/p>

\/\/ an inflated<\/em> ego<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'swell' be a good substitute for 'dilate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words swell<\/em><\/a> and dilate<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but swell<\/em> implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.<\/p>

\/\/ the bureaucracy swelled<\/em> to unmanageable proportions<\/p>" } } ] }

dilate

verb

Definition of dilatenext
as in to distend

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dilate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dilate are amplify, distend, expand, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

When is amplify a more appropriate choice than dilate?

In some situations, the words amplify and dilate are roughly equivalent. However, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When can distend be used instead of dilate?

The words distend and dilate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

Where would expand be a reasonable alternative to dilate?

Although the words expand and dilate have much in common, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When is it sensible to use inflate instead of dilate?

The synonyms inflate and dilate are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When would swell be a good substitute for dilate?

The words swell and dilate can be used in similar contexts, but swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dilate For instance, if a listener’s pupils dilate unnaturally during a conversation, signifying strain, the hearing aid could automatically engage a more aggressive noise suppression mode or narrow its directional microphone beam. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2026 Pomegranates are rich in polyphenols, which may dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 23 Dec. 2025 Heat applied to the body tends to dilate blood vessels, which improves blood flow, according to Highett Podiatry. —Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025 Most people who study physics can only refer to the Lorentz transformation’s equations and plug numbers in, not explain why times dilate and lengths contract, particularly near the speed of light. —Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dilate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilate
  1. distend
  2. inflate
  3. increase
  4. augment
  5. expand
  6. enlarge
  7. swell
  8. accelerate
Verb
  • Boxing scenes in movies, other than in a handful of classics, tend to start to look all the same, a mishmash of beads of sweat and blood and jowels distended, all fists flying and battering as two men catapult and careen across the ring.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
  • My stomach wasn't distended anymore.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of distend
Verb
  • In order to minimize rider impact with the handlebars or other hard surfaces, the airbag inflates upward during a forward crash.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The trick is knowing which filming locations double as genuinely affordable travel destinations and timing your visit to dodge peak crowds that inflate costs.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of inflate
Verb
  • Call-out rates have increased at some airports, leading to longer screening times for many passengers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • As temperatures swell, so too does the cooling demand which can increase the strain on the power grid of an entire region.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • This was the first Dragon launch from SLC-40 since the addition of a crew access arm to support Dragon launches from more than one Space Coast pad and augment normal launches from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Even though it has long been known that Russia engages in censorship of its citizens, recent experiments in Moscow are raising fears that the Russian government is augmenting its information blockade.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of augment
Verb
  • While the senator comes to the position after more than a dozen years in Congress, and with the management experience of running an expanding family plumbing business in Oklahoma, he has not been seen as a key force in immigration issues.
    — Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026
  • When that happens, Stanley hopes the itinerary will expand beyond Dilworth, NoDa and Plaza Midwood.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • As the disease kills off neurons, the brain shrinks, and the space in the middle cavity enlarges.
    — Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • In 2016, Congress sought to help enlarge the therapeutic toolkit with the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act.
    — Josh Makower, STAT, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of enlarge
Verb
  • Airport conditions have become increasingly unpredictable with swelling crowds seen in major hubs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The 82nd, which is based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, could join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as potential ground forces swell into the region.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of swell
Verb
  • According to the South China Morning Post, the China Ship Scientific Research Centre in Wuxi is accelerating its timeline to dominate deep-sea tourism.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The award also honors schools across the state that are accelerating academic progress for two or more groups that have been historically underserved.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of accelerate

Browse Nearby Words

dilatations
dilate
dilated
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Cite this Entry

“Dilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilate. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dilate for Spanish Speakers

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