reflation

1 of 2

noun

re·​fla·​tion (ˌ)rē-ˈflā-shən 

: restoration of deflated prices to a desirable level

reflate

(ˌ)rē-ˈflāt 

verb

reflationary

(ˌ)rē-ˈflā-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

reflate

2 of 2

verb

re·​flate (ˌ)rē-ˈflāt 

-ed/-ing/-s

intransitive verb

: to expand again the quantity of currency and credit after a period of deflation

transitive verb

1

: to expand again the amount of (currency and credit)

2

: to induce reflation in (as an economy or consumer demand) after an economic recession or a period of deflation

Examples of reflation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The structural shift Goldman documents—from disinflation and globalization to reflation and regionalization, from capital-light to capital-intensive, from buybacks to capex—could, in theory, benefit workers. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 June 2026

No news on official government data remains fine with the markets, which are free to key off corporate-AI enthusiasm and the global markets’ apparent message of a reflation/reacceleration dynamic taking hold. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025

Despite expectations of reflation and pro-growth policies under the new U.S. administration, oil prices have remained stagnant. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Covid, then reflation, then supply-chain inflation, then a tardy Fed, then war. —James MacKintosh, WSJ, 15 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

re- + -flation (as in deflation)

Verb

back-formation from reflation

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reflation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation