inflated

adjective

in·​flat·​ed in-ˈflā-təd How to pronounce inflated (audio)
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

Examples of inflated in a Sentence

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 Authorities suspect the officials of buying software at an inflated price from two companies allegedly under their control in a sale that had been closed to other bidders, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau said. Reuters, NBC News, 20 Nov. 2023 The inflated price of gas or a gallon of milk seems like a bigger problem for Biden than his decision to stick with America’s decades-old military backing of Israel. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2023 The available food is being sold at inflated prices and most people are surviving on one meal a day, the U.N. said. NBC News, 16 Nov. 2023 Who has time for these inflated gas prices anymore? Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 16 Nov. 2023 Some politicians even blame corporate price gouging for the inflated prices. Alice Barlow, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2023 Back on the floor at Viejas Arena, Dutcher will coach a team with fewer star pieces — five members of the nine-man rotation are gone — and inflated expectations facing one of the nation’s toughest nonconference schedules. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2023 The goal isn’t so much a massively inflated upper lip, but rather one that stays visible all the time and, in my case, doesn’t result in lipstick on your teeth. Ana Escalante, Glamour, 6 Nov. 2023 But there have also been epic failures, such as in Puerto Rico, where years of mismanagement left ratepayers with an unstable grid and inflated rates before the utility went bankrupt in 2017. Evan Halper, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inflated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of inflated was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near inflated

Cite this Entry

“Inflated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflated. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

inflated

adjective
in·​flat·​ed
in-ˈflāt-əd
: hollow and stretched or swelled
inflated pods of a plant

More from Merriam-Webster on inflated

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!