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Definitions

inflate

[in-fleyt] / ɪnˈfleɪt /
VERB
blow up, increase
Synonyms
STRONGEST
augment bloat boost enlarge escalate exaggerate expand magnify maximize overestimate pad widen
STRONG
aerate aggrandize amplify balloon cram dilate distend exalt pyramid raise spread stretch surcharge
WEAK
beef up build up flesh out puff up pump up swell up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abridge decrease diminish lessen lower play down reduce shrink weaken
STRONG
compress contract debase depress
WEAK
deflate let air out

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.

Many homes “inappropriately diagnosed residents with schizophrenia to mask the nursing homes’ misuse of antipsychotic drugs and to artificially inflate their star ratings,” it adds.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Charities are urging people not to turn their heating off as the war in Iran continues to inflate energy prices.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“We will continue to hold accountable insurers that knowingly submit inaccurate or unsupported diagnoses to improperly inflate reimbursement,” Shumate said in a statement.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

And more importantly, he didn’t inflate it into a referendum on the character of New Yorkers.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

He gave me the ball back and I did as he said, pointing my finger toward that little hole where you stick the pin in to inflate the ball.

From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman

Vocabulary lists containing inflate

Lesson 3

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