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 of inflated

• 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

Attendees wearing cowboy hats line danced, petted fluffy white calves and posed for pictures in front of an inflated cactus. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

American oil companies can sell as much as ever, now at an inflated price. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026

Criticisms of the Miami signature bridge project To critics who have complained from the start that the project was a waste of taxpayer money better spent on expanding public transit, the inflated costs and delays are all too predictable. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

And wages aren’t increasing fast enough to keep pace with inflated housing costs. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026

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