inflate

verb

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in·flate | \ in-ˈflāt

inflated; inflating

Definition of inflate

transitive verb

1 : to swell or distend with air or gas

2 : to puff up : elate inflate one's ego

3 : to expand or increase abnormally or imprudently

intransitive verb

: to become inflated

Other Words from inflate Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about inflate

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Choose the Right Synonym for inflate

expand, amplify, swell, distend, inflate, dilate mean to increase in size or volume. expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts). a business that expands every year amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate. amplify the statement with details swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits. the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within. a distended abdomen inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse. an inflated ego dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference. dilated pupils

Examples of inflate in a Sentence

We used a pump to inflate the raft. Economists warn that rapid economic growth could inflate prices. Increased competition has inflated salaries among professional athletes. Rapid economic growth may cause prices to inflate.

Recent Examples on the Web Quantum bubbles that inflate at nearly light speed aren’t easy to come by, but in 2014, physicists in Australia and New Zealand proposed a way to make some in the lab using an exotic state of matter known as a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). — quantamagazine.org, "Physicists Study How Universes Might Bubble Up and Collide," 25 Jan. 2021 Many cars now are sold without a spare but have an inflation pump and a can of tire sealant that will, in an emergency, both inflate and seal the leak in your tire. — Nerd Wallet, cleveland, "Tire care basics: 5 times you might need new tires," 9 Jan. 2021 Yet his lofty accomplishments didn’t inflate his ego. — Joann S. Lublin, WSJ, "How WWT’s Jim Kavanaugh Got the Goal He Wanted," 2 Jan. 2021 Many cars now are sold without a spare but have an inflation pump and a can of tire sealant that will, in an emergency, both inflate and seal the leak in your tire. — Nerd Wallet, oregonlive, "5 situations in which drivers should check their tires," 27 Dec. 2020 But the question that hounds Tether—and is the subject of an investigation by the New York attorney general’s office—is whether its most attractive quality is really just to artificially inflate the value of Bitcoin. — Jacob Silverman, The New Republic, "Is Tether Just a Scam to Enrich Bitcoin Investors?," 13 Jan. 2021 In June, TikTok users organized a campaign to inflate attendance expectations for President Trump’s campaign rally in Tulsa. — Taylor Lorenz, New York Times, "This Is Why You Heard About TikTok So Much in 2020," 31 Dec. 2020 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday the ammonium nitrate propellant used to inflate the driver's air bags is showing signs of decay and poses a safety risk. — Tom Krisher, Star Tribune, "US rejects Ford, Mazda requests to avoid Takata recalls," 19 Jan. 2021 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday the ammonium nitrate propellant used to inflate the air bags is showing signs of decay and poses a safety risk. — Tom Krisher, ajc, "US rejects Ford, Mazda requests to avoid Takata recalls," 19 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inflate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.