inflate
verb (used with object)
to distend; swell or puff out; dilate.
were inflating
-
past progressiveof inflate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Beahon pushed back against the idea that brands were inflating prices arbitrarily, arguing that higher costs reflect inflation, rising material prices and unprecedented global investment in elite sport.
From BBC ● Jan. 8, 2026
Kress took on the argument that some of Nvidia’s customers were inflating profits by spreading out depreciation costs over a long period—a claim that Big Short hero Michael Burry amplified earlier this month.
From Barron's ● Nov. 20, 2025
The owner of another company supplying concrete for front-line fortifications said some regional officials, under pressure to build them quickly, were inflating progress.
From Seattle Times ● May 1, 2024
The lawsuit detailed concerns that doctors were inflating the payments from the federal government by overstating how sick their patients were.
From New York Times ● May 8, 2023
While the government had been issuing its paper money some of the banks were inflating the currency, by issuing paper money on the basis of United States money.
From Recollections of Forty Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet An Autobiography. by John Sherman
