distend

verb

dis·tend di-ˈstend

distended; distending; distends

Synonyms of distend

transitive verb

: extend

the main outlines of the land yet lay clearly distended before them—Norman Douglas

: to enlarge, expand, or stretch out (as from internal pressure) : swell

a distended abdomen

intransitive verb

: to become enlarged, expanded, or stretched out

causing the stomach to distend

Did you know?

The history of the word distend stretches back to the Latin verb tendere—a root whose kin have really expanded the English language. To find evidence of this expansion, look to words that include "tend" or "tent"; many have tendere, which means "to stretch, extend, or spread," in their family tree. Perhaps the simplest example is tent, which names a shelter made from a piece of material stretched over a frame. You'll also find the influence of tendere in extend, tendon, contend, portend, and tendency.

Choose the Right Synonym for distend

expand, amplify, swell, distend, inflate, dilate mean to increase in size or volume.

expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

Examples of distend in a Sentence

an abdomen distended by disease

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

The Most Exciting New Advances in Managing COPD With another strategy, diaphragmatic breathing, patients concentrate on distending their abdomen while taking in air. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 Abdominal bloating is when the stomach feels full of gas and may become distended (sticks out). —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Sep. 2024