Synonyms

inflated

American

[in-fley-tid] / ɪnˈfleɪ tɪd /

adjective

distended with air or gas; swollen.
puffed up, as with pride.
turgid or bombastic.

his inflated prose.
unduly increased in level.

inflated costs.
Economics. unduly expanded in amount, value, or size; characterized by inflation.
Botany. hollow and enlarged or swelled out.

inflated perianth.

Other Word Forms

inflatedly adverb
inflatedness noun
underinflated adjective
uninflated adjective

Etymology

Origin of inflated

First recorded in 1645–55; inflate + -ed ²

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.

The companies’ intricate web of cross-shareholdings artificially inflated their share prices.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

The review concludes that the 130,000 number is highly inflated and includes tens of thousands who may be alive — or ended up on the list without having been properly identified in the first place.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

That resulted a small denominator within the P/E ratio that artificially inflated the profitability metric.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

One thread that Peters pulled on was whether Mullin had inflated his background.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026

I instantly want to hide behind my partially inflated crocodile, but it’s too late.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023