hyperinflation

noun

hy·​per·​in·​fla·​tion ˌhī-pər-in-ˈflā-shən 

: extreme or excessive inflation: such as

a

: excessive distension with air or gas

hyperinflation of the lungs

b

: extreme economic inflation with prices rising at a very high rate in a very short time

But the policy also fueled hyperinflation that experts say left Iran's economy weaker in the long run.

—Ramin Mostaghim

also : a period of such inflation

While every company may employ any of a variety of cash investment options during hyperinflation, every successful company has one policy in common …

—Gerald Swanson

hyperinflationary

ˌhī-pər-in-ˈflā-shə-ˌnər-ē 

adjective

Examples of hyperinflation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Three years later, the Fernández government lost control of the economy, which descended into hyperinflation, and the obscure far-right libertarian Javier Milei campaigned on drastic government spending cuts and against the traditional political class. —Graciela Mochkofsky, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

This has prevented an economic depression, and the central bank’s 21 percent interest rates have prevented hyperinflation. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Mar. 2025

Slower price rises have been a welcome change for a population that has suffered hyperinflation for years. —Hanna Ziady, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024

As Peruvians grappled with hyperinflation, as well as a bombing campaign carried out by the Shining Path, a Maoist guerrilla group, Mr. Vargas Llosa temporarily stopped writing fiction and formed his own right-wing party, called Freedom Movement. —Simon Romero, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hyperinflation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

hyperinflation

noun

hy·​per·​in·​fla·​tion -in-ˈflā-shən 

: inflation that increases very quickly over a short period of time

Medical Definition

hyperinflation

noun

hy·​per·​in·​fla·​tion ˌhī-pə-rin-ˈflā-shən 

: excessive inflation (as of the lungs)