deflate

American  

[dih-fleyt] / dɪˈfleɪt /

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.

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verb (used without object)

deflated, deflating

1. to become deflated.

deflate British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

• deflator noun
• self-deflated adjective

Etymology

Origin of deflate

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

Example Sentences

It was reminiscent of Roger Federer at his best, able to relieve pressure and deflate opponents by serving his way out of trouble.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

“The great hurt and fear for folks that steward the farmworker movement now is that this news will deflate the struggle that is so essential and is so hard,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

He told MarketWatch that once the tech trade starts to deflate, even strength among defensive and cyclical names lacks the firepower to overcome the drag on the broader market.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 6, 2026

So, on the consumer side, costs will deflate.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

As soon as he disappears into the basement, the dogs sort of deflate.

From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead

Related Words

• depress
• diminish
• exhaust