inflated

1 of 2

adjective

in·​flat·​ed in-ˈflā-təd 

1

: distended with air or gas

2

: expanded to an abnormal or unjustifiable volume or level

inflated prices

3

: elaborated or heightened by artificial or empty means

an inflated style of writing

4

: being hollow and enlarged or distended

inflated

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of inflate

Synonyms of inflated

Adjective

• exaggerated

Examples of inflated in a Sentence

Adjective

a writer with an inflated reputation

an inflated style of writing

She objects to the inflated salaries that many professional athletes now receive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Folks come to Denver Comedy Works ready to laugh, comics say — so comedy-hungry and polite that their enthusiasm can give a performer an inflated sense of their own abilities. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

The result is a feedback loop where leadership sets aggressive targets, teams present a rosier picture than reality supports and leadership then makes the next round of decisions on inflated data. — Nacho De Marco, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Bad tax advice promoted on social media We've been warned in the past about a flurry of bad tax advice by social media influencers that drove thousands of taxpayers to file bogus tax returns that claimed inflated refunds. — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2026

There are the Vamps, inflated shoes born of the puffy Y2K lineage of skate classics like Osirises or Etnies, taken to theatrical levels of bulbous. — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for inflated

• abated
• ablated
• awaited
• belated
• berated
• castrated
• chelated
• citrated
• collated
• conflated
• created
• curated

Kids Definition

inflated

adjective

in·​flat·​ed

in-ˈflāt-əd

: hollow and stretched or swelled

inflated pods of a plant