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Glite Dictionary
distended

distended

7.8
A body part that is swollen in an unusual way, often from liquid or gas
  • adjective
  • /dɪˈstɛndɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : distendido
  • The balloon became distended as it filled with air, stretching its surface tightly.

Examples

  • You know, this notion that you're full and you feel full in part because your gut gets distended, your stomach, for example.

  • - Abdomen's distended and rigid.

    The Laughing Policeman (1973)

  • So to me it answers the question how distended is the chain?

  • Their bellies were distended, lack of lack of protein.

  • We don't all eat until the stomach is distended like the newborn.

  • The biggest tip when you're feeling bloated or distended is don't wear those red pants with a button on them.

  • The biggest tip when you're feeling bloated or distended is don't wear those red pants with a button on them.

  • So at the top of your lung, the alveoli are actually quite distended, and at the bottom of the lung during particularly exhalation, they're quite collapsed.

  • After eating too much, I felt my stomach was distended and uncomfortable.

  • The doctor noted that the patient's abdomen was distended due to a buildup of gas.

Synonyms

swollen
vsdistended
110 3.2

A body part or object that is larger than normal because it has extra fluid inside

is slightly more technical and stresses abnormal expansion
bloated
vsdistended
70 5.0

A part of the body that is swollen and uncomfortable from extra gas or liquid

is slightly more formal and clinical than this common everyday term
puffy
vsdistended
51 2.2

Rounded and soft in shape, often filled with air or soft material

is the clinical abnormal swelling especially from fluid or gas
engorged
vsdistended
  • Specialized
3 7.9

A body part that is swollen with extra fluid, often full of blood

covers abnormal enlargement from fluids or gas more generally
bulging
vsdistended
2 3.6

Sticking out in a rounded shape because something inside pushes

is about general abnormal enlargement rather than just an outward curve
enlarged
vsdistended
1 3.1

Bigger than normal because it is swollen or has been made larger

is limited to abnormal enlargement caused especially by fluids or gas
edematous
vsdistended
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Swollen because it has too much fluid in body tissues

is broader, covering swelling from fluids or gas as well
turgid
vsdistended
  • Specialized
1 8.6

Being swollen because it is full of liquid

is the general term for abnormal enlargement not tied to formality
tumescent
vsdistended
  • Specialized
1 9.8

Swollen body tissue that holds extra fluid

is the broader term for abnormal enlargement rather than the process
intumescent
vsdistended
  • Specialized
9.9

Swollen and puffed up because it fills with liquid or gas

focuses on the resulting enlarged state rather than the swelling process
tumid
vsdistended
9.9

Swollen body part filled with extra fluid or gas

is the neutral description of being abnormally enlarged, not tone specific
inflatus
vsdistended
  • Specialized
9.9

Swollen from pressure inside a body part

is the everyday description of abnormal enlargement without anatomical focus
bollen
vsdistended
  • Archaic
9.9

Puffed up because it is full of liquid or air

is the clinical description for the same abnormal enlargement

Antonyms

normal
∞ 1.0

Usual or expected in most situations

How Swollen

bloated
70 5.0
distended
  • Specialized
7.8
swollen
110 3.2
puffy
51 2.2

Surface Forms

distended positive

Morphology

distended = distend (transparent) = distend + ed

Regular adjectival/past-participle formation from the verb 'distend' by adding '-ed', so the meaning is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

The word distended comes from Latin parts dis- ('apart') and tendere ('to stretch'), and it is like extend ('to stretch out'). So, something distended is 'stretched apart' and therefore swollen or enlarged, often because it is full of fluid or gas.