deflate
verb (used with object)
to release the air or gas from (something inflated, as a balloon).
had deflated
-
past perfectof deflate.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A 2-1 defeat at City had deflated the club’s chances of lifting the trophy to 73% from close to 90%, according to Opta projections.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 6, 2026
McNally took the balls from the referees’ locker room without permission, then into a bathroom for 1 minute 40 seconds, leading to speculation that he had deflated them there.
From New York Times ● Mar. 3, 2016
The NFL was investigating claims the Patriots had deflated match balls to give themselves an advantage over the Indianapolis Colts.
From BBC ● May 7, 2015
But the measure could not undo the previous “hard money” policies that had deflated prices and pulled farmers into well-entrenched cycles of debt.
From Textbooks ● Dec. 30, 2014
Just like the other three panels, the central panel had deflated balloons underneath it.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
