inflated

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

Synonyms

• exaggerated

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

More often, consumers pay for layers of marketing and inflated brand premiums. —William Jones, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025

Students can have chatbots do their work for them, teachers can give that work inflated grades, and everyone can feel good while learning very little. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025

Vendor financing exists to some degree in many industries, but in this case, circular transactions may give investors an inflated perception of the true demand for AI. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025

The inflated bill was criticized by a local fiscal watchdog organization. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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