1. to swell or become swollen; to expand or increase in volume
Usage: third-person singular present tense of intumesces; formal or technical usage

Examples

• The material intumesces when exposed to high heat.
• The wound intumesces as inflammation increases.
• Certain polymers intumesces in response to moisture.
• The tissue intumesces during the allergic reaction.
• The foam intumesces to fill the cavity completely.