stagflation
noun
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Stagflation is a portmanteau, that is, a word that blends two others (in this case, "stagnation" and "inflation"). The first documented use of the word appeared in 1965 in the writing of British politician Iain Macleod, who wrote, "We now have the worst of both worlds - not just inflation on the one side or stagnation on the other, but both of them together. We have a sort of 'stagflation' situation." Macleod is often credited with coining the term, and his linguistic invention was quickly embraced by economists in the United States, who used it to refer to the period of economic sluggishness and high inflation that affected the country in the 1970s.
Examples of stagflation in a Sentence
ABC News, 31 May 2026
Understanding the different inflation environments — high, moderate, low, and stagflation — and their impact on savings and investments is critical for retirees and long-term investors.
—David Kudla, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Others believe the Iran conflict is pushing the economy closer to stagflation.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Inflation and recession overlap Some recessions occur alongside inflation, a combination known as stagflation (slow growth plus rising prices).
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagflation
Cite this Entry
“Stagflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagflation. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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