deflate

[dih-fleyt]

verb (used with object)

deflated, deflating 

1. to release the air or gas from (something inflated, as a balloon).

   They deflated the tires slightly to allow the truck to drive under the overpass.

2. to depress or reduce (a person or a person's ego, hopes, spirits, etc.); puncture; dash.

   Her rebuff thoroughly deflated me.

3. to reduce (currency, prices, etc.) from an inflated condition; to affect with deflation.

verb (used without object)

deflated, deflating 

1. to become deflated.

deflate

/ dɪˈfleɪt /

verb

1. to collapse or cause to collapse through the release of gas

2. (tr) to take away the self-esteem or conceit from

3. economics to cause deflation of (an economy, the money supply, etc)

Other Word Forms

• deflator noun
• self-deflated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflate¹

1890–95; < Latin dēflātus blown off, away (past participle of dēflāre ), equivalent to dē- de- + fl ( āre ) to blow + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflate¹

C19: from _de- + ( _in ) _flate

Example Sentences

The comeback made what happened later all the more deflating.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The deflated expression on his face is priceless when he advises his lost “reporters” to rely on the Five Ws of reporting, and one asks, “Is that a gang?”

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The deflated British party began their arduous return journey to their base.

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Instead, they watched their main character deflate before their eyes, like a sad-clown balloon at the end of a long day at the theme park.

Read more on Salon

That moment she captured on camera was a deflating disappointment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• depress 
• diminish 
• exhaust