Distend
harddis-TEND
verb
Definition
to swell or expand by internal pressure
Examples
“Gas from the fermenting batter caused the bag to distend.”
“Famine had distended the children's bellies.”
Synonyms
swellbloatexpandballoon
Antonyms
contractshrinkdeflatecompress
Categories
GRE Tip
Distend is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "swell" or "bloat" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "contract".
Related GRE Words
aberrant
Deviating from what is normal or expected
augment
To make something greater by adding to it; increase
occlude
to block, obstruct, or close off
rarefy
to make less dense or thinner; to refine or make more esoteric
striated
marked with parallel grooves, ridges, or stripes
analogous
Comparable in certain respects; similar
Master distend and 1,000+ GRE words
Learn through stories, practice with real GRE questions, and never forget with spaced repetition.