self-inflating

adjective

self-in·​flat·​ing ˌself-in-ˈflā-tiŋ 

1

: capable of inflating itself

self-inflating life rafts

a self-inflating resuscitator

2

: acting or intended to portray oneself as more impressive, successful, or important than one really is : self-aggrandizing

a self-inflating blowhard

… makes self-inflating claims that are demonstrably untrue.

—Phil Mushnick

Accuracy and credibility are the essence of being a journalist. There is no room for self-inflating stories, falsehoods or even mixed-up memories.

—The Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon) (online)

self-inflation

ˌself-in-ˈflā-shən 

noun

… the enduring folly of misplaced ambition, phony posturing, social climbing and self-inflation.

—Marlise Simons

It should include automatic CO₂ self-inflation and a manual top-up tube in case the automatic system fails …

—Chris Beeson

Examples of self-inflating in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Therm-a-Rest Basecamp Self–inflating Sleeping Pad This self-inflating pad is thick, warm, and built for campers who want mattress-level comfort in the wild. —Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2025

Jackson, 57, decided to run Lava Falls on a Paco Pad, a self-inflating sleeping pad. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 24 Nov. 2025

Double self-inflating sleeping pad This self-inflating sleeping pad is ideal for a couple who wants to share the bed, but not have to lay on the floor. —Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 July 2024

This double-sized, self-inflating King Camp mattress, on sale for around $62 at Target, includes two pillows for better rest when camping. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 26 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-inflating

• abdicating
• abrogating
• activating
• actuating
• advocating
• aggravating
• aggregating
• agitating
• allocating
• alternating
• animating
• annotating