The swelling force of interpolymer complexes formed by graft polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacylate on poly(methacrylic acid) was measured as a function of time in various pH buffered solutions. The forces exerted in the uncomplexed and complexed samples decreased as the molecular weight of the PEG graft increased. The results were analyzed to determine the contributions of chain relaxation and diffusion on the swelling force. In general, the swelling force developed was controlled by the relaxation process of the macromolecular chains indicating a significant deviation from pure Fickian swelling behavior.