inflate

[ in-fleyt ]

/ ɪnˈfleɪt /

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See synonyms for: inflate / inflated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), in·flat·ed, in·flat·ing.

to distend; swell or puff out; dilate: The king cobra inflates its hood.

to cause to expand or distend with air or gas: to inflate a balloon.

to puff up with pride, satisfaction, etc.

to elate.

Economics. to expand (money, prices, an economy, etc.) unduly in amount, value, or size; affect with inflation.

verb (used without object), in·flat·ed, in·flat·ing.

to become inflated.

to increase, especially suddenly and substantially: The $10 subscription has inflated to $25.

OPPOSITES FOR inflate

1 deflate.

See antonyms for inflate on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of inflate

First recorded in 1500–20; from Latin inflātus, past participle of inflāre “to blow on or into, puff out,” equivalent to in- in-² + flā- blow² + -tus past participle suffix

synonym study for inflate

1. See expand.

OTHER WORDS FROM inflate

in·flat·er, in·fla·tor, nouno·ver·in·flate, verb (used with object), o·ver·in·flat·ed, o·ver·in·flat·ing.re·in·flate, verb, re·in·flat·ed, re·in·flat·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inflate in a sentence

Before Bills fans get too excited, however, they should consider the fact that their record is inflated and not as good as it looks on paper.
Steelers stay unbeaten, Chargers drop another heartbreaker in NFL Week 9|Cindy Boren, Mark Maske, Des Bieler|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
On Sunday, it was Washington quarterback Kyle Allen, after an air cast was inflated around his lower left leg.
Alex Smith got his second chance. Now it’s time to give Dwayne Haskins his.|Kevin Blackistone|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
At 11 by 4 inches in the stuffsack, it left space in my duffle for other gear, and weighing in at just over one pound, it’s Therm-a-Rest’s lightest self-inflating mattress for women.
The Durable Gear One Wildland Firefighter Swears By|Amanda Monthei|October 28, 2020|Outside Online
It’s pretty clear that in 2019, profits were inflated and unsustainable.
After soaring, then plunging, earnings are heading for a ‘new normal.’ But where is that, exactly?|Shawn Tully|October 13, 2020|Fortune

The buyer is referring to allegations, reported by Business Insider earlier this month, that monthly active user metrics from the app have been inflated.
‘We’re at the crux of it’: How TikTok rival Triller is brashly pitching advertisers|Seb Joseph|October 12, 2020|Digiday
Municipal inflator preparing a coachman for an important public function.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, February 11, 1914|Various

British Dictionary definitions for inflate

inflate

/ (ɪnˈfleɪt) /

verb

to expand or cause to expand by filling with gas or airshe needed to inflate the tyres

(tr) to cause to increase excessively; puff up; swellto inflate one's opinion of oneself

(tr) to cause inflation of (prices, money, etc)

(tr) to raise in spirits; elate

(intr) to undergo economic inflation

Derived forms of inflate

inflatedly, adverbinflatedness, nouninflater or inflator, noun

Word Origin for inflate

C16: from Latin inflāre to blow into, from flāre to blow

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

inflate

OPPOSITES FOR inflate

Origin of inflate

synonym study for inflate

OTHER WORDS FROM inflate

Words related to inflate

How to use inflate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inflate

Derived forms of inflate

Word Origin for inflate