DILATE Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

dilate

verb

Definition of dilate

as in to distend

Related Words

Relevance

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 If a cheap pair reduces visible light but fails to block ultraviolet rays properly, the pupil can dilate in response to the darker tint while still allowing harmful UV exposure through. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 Glucose is released into the bloodstream to provide energy, and blood vessels dilate and increase flow to muscles. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026 There are a few different ways in which magnesium helps to lower blood pressure, mostly through allowing arteries to relax and dilate. — Jennifer Berger, Verywell Health, 1 June 2026 Nitrate-rich vegetables like leafy greens and beets support nitric oxide production which dilates blood vessels. — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dilate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilate

Verb

But the groaning synthesizer underneath her bashful smile tells you something is off — a crystalline tone now distended, unnerving.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Fiber slows gastric emptying, making the stomach more distended.

— Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 27 May 2026

Definition of distend

Verb

Republican response But conservatives said those policies inflated enrollment by attracting fraudulent and wasteful coverage.

— Christine Mai-Duc, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026
The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court convicted Hui, also known as Xu Jiayin, and Evergrande of engaged in large-scale financial fraud in inflating the group’s assets and concealing its liabilities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of inflate

Verb

There are also increasing concerns that the Russia-Ukraine war could escalate, amid reports that CIA chief John Ratcliffe have made a secretive Moscow trip to warn Russia against attacking NATO.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Friday starts dry in the Twin Cities with clouds and temperatures increasing through the afternoon.

— Joseph Dames, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Even Jeremy Allen White, the actor known in part for a steamy Calvin Klein underwear campaign that flaunted his very real muscles, has been augmented by this pocket of the internet.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
The funding augments ongoing lobbying efforts from the individual firms.

— Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of augment

Verb

Japan’s Inpex, for example, formed a joint venture to expand its LNG investment in Australia’s Northern Territory.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
While most of its stores are in mainland China, the company had 4,378 stores overseas as of end-June and has been expanding into new markets, including central Asia and the Americas.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

It was built between 1887 and 1895 and has been enlarged since then; its purpose was to eliminate the need to navigate around Jutland (peninsular Denmark).

— Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026
Rebuilt in 1850, it was enlarged just a couple decades later for Sir Samuel Stephens Marling, who would go on to become the 1st Baronet of Stanley Park and Sedbury Park.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of enlarge

Verb

Satellite imagery showed the scale of the flooding, with the basin of the Trishuli River dramatically swelled by mud.

— Matteo Moschella, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
During the seven years that it was occupied by British forces, Manhattan had been ravaged by fires, picked over by looters, covered in fortifications, and swollen with refugees.

— Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of swell

Verb

However, with multiple suppliers accelerating expansion, the eventual release of new capacity has raised fears of an inflection point in chip prices, which could threaten current high margins.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
But no one has generated that feeling more than Mahomes, starting with some jaw-dropping throws in his first NFL start in the 2017 regular-season finale and accelerating with his true debut in 2018 with 10 touchdown passes in the first two games.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of accelerate

Browse Nearby Words

dilatations

dilate

dilated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dilate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

6 Words Whose Abstract Meanings Came...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of dilate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to dilate

6 Words Whose Abstract Meanings Came...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes