inflate

verb

in·​flate in-ˈflāt 

inflated; inflating

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

inflator noun

or inflater

in-ˈflā-tər 

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

Democrats believe Kennedy's polling is inflated by his famous last name − arguably the most iconic brand in Democratic politics − and from avoiding heavy scrutiny until recently. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

The attorney general ultimately sued Mr. Trump and several associates, including Mr. Weisselberg, accusing them of inflating his financial statements in order to receive better loan terms. —Ben Protess, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Yet analysts warned that the comparison may be slightly inflated as a result of this year’s Lunar New Year holiday having an extra day compared with five years ago. —Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 9 Apr. 2024

However, inflated construction costs and rising interest rates have led many such developments, including Cornerstone Village, to run into delays. —Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024

Additionally, there are also a variety of materials such as cotton, suede, velour, fleece and nylon, and there are also travel pillows that can be inflated, deflated and easily packed. —Jacqueline Laurean Yates, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2024

Critics argue that the structure inflates costs and creates bad incentives. —Patrick Clark, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2024

For example, the Three-Fifths Compromise inflated the political influence of enslavers by counting 60 percent of enslaved populations in their congressional apportionments (while denying all enslaved people the right to vote, of course). —Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024

Chinese regulators have since accused Evergrande and its founder of inflating revenues by $78 billion, putting the insolvent property developer at the heart of the country’s biggest ever financial fraud case. —Laura He, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inflatus, past participle of inflare, from in- + flare to blow — more at blow

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

inflate

verb

in·​flate in-ˈflāt 

inflated; inflating

1

: to swell or fill with air or gas

inflate a balloon

2

: to increase abnormally

inflated prices

inflatable

-ə-bəl

adjective

Medical Definition

inflate

verb

in·​flate in-ˈflāt 

inflated; inflating

transitive verb

: to swell or distend with air or gas

inflate the lungs

intransitive verb

: to become inflated

inflation

in-ˈflā-shən 

noun