distend
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /dɪˈstɛnd/
KK: /dɪˈstɛnd/
intransitive verb
Definition
To swell or become larger due to internal pressure.
Example
The balloon began to distend as more air was pumped into it.
Tense Forms
Past: distended
Past Participle: distended
Conversation
I noticed my stomach tends to distend after I eat too much pizza.
Yeah, that happens to me too — pizza is so good, but so filling!
I guess it’s the cheese that makes it distend even more.
Exactly! Maybe we should stick to smaller slices next time.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
swell
expand
inflate
Antonyms
contract
shrink
compress
transitive verb
Definition
To make something larger or wider by applying pressure from within.
Example
The balloon began to distend as more air was pumped into it.
Tense Forms
Past: distended
Past Participle: distended
Conversation
I noticed my backpack seems to distend every time I pack it.
Yeah, it’s probably because you keep adding more books.
I guess I should be more careful not to distend it too much.
Root Explanation
Distend → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart) and "tendere" (meaning to stretch). The word describes the action of stretching something apart or expanding it.
Memory Tip
Think of something being 'stretched apart' — 'dis-' means apart, and 'tendere' means to stretch.
Visually Confused Words
undistend
redistend
mistend
dispend
stend
wistened
disendow
digested