Definitions

stagflation

[stag-fley-shuhn] / stægˈfleɪ ʃən /

NOUN

depression

Synonyms

STRONG

bankruptcy bust crash crisis deflation dislocation downturn drop failure inactivity inflation overproduction panic paralysis recession retrenchment sag slide slowness slump stagnation unemployment

WEAK

bad times bear market big trouble hard times rainy days

Antonyms

STRONG

calm increase rise success

WEAK

bulge cheerfulness convexity encouragement happiness hope hopefulness protuberance recovery surge

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.

Stagflation is a bad scenario for anyone, and often especially so for banks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Stagflation, a combination of low growth and high inflation, plagued the 1970s, with CPI soaring 186.4% from 1968-1983.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Stagflation is when inflation is persistently high while the economy is weak.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Stagflation was coined in the 1970s, when surging inflation and a poor economy saw interest rates at close to 20% and unemployment at around 10%.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 7, 2026

Indeed, the situation after the Second World War has been much improved: instead of a Great Depression we only got a Great Stagflation.

From Definition & Reality in the General Theory of Political Economy by Colignatus, Thomas

Vocabulary lists containing stagflation

Economics

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American History - Middle School

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American History - High School

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