deflate

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word deflate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of deflate are compress, condense, constrict, contract, and shrink. While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

When might compress be a better fit than deflate?

The words compress and deflate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

When is it sensible to use condense instead of deflate?

While in some cases nearly identical to deflate, condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

In what contexts can constrict take the place of deflate?

In some situations, the words constrict and deflate are roughly equivalent. However, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

When is contract a more appropriate choice than deflate?

The meanings of contract and deflate largely overlap; however, contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

When would shrink be a good substitute for deflate?

The words shrink and deflate can be used in similar contexts, but shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deflate McLaughlin, who last year led a Penske sweep of the front row in qualifying, was clearly deflated after he was released from the medical center. Jenna Fryer, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025 Jason Lipshutz: Releasing a follow-up single with Jelly Roll was a smart move by Warren, who can now promote both a pop and country track to different audiences without deflating either of their performances. Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 3 June 2025 Paul Taylor Aston Villa Having been well within the hunting pack, last week felt extremely deflating to Villa’s Champions League aspirations. Sam Lee, New York Times, 1 May 2025 When deflated and rolled up, the Atmos forms a cylinder measuring 7.75 inches long by 4.5 inches wide (197 by 114 mm). New Atlas, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for deflate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflate
Verb
  • When stress hit, the house of cards collapsed, and failures cascaded like dominoes, wiping out billions in customer funds.
    Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • That’s how a building managed to go without a critical earthquake retrofit for more than a century before its brick walls collapsed in 2003.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • That can mean difficulty starting to pee, a weak stream, trouble fully emptying the bladder, or sometimes, an inability to pee at all.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 27 June 2025
  • That move emptied the cupboard, burning another three second-round picks.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • To reduce background noise when making phone calls or joining in with a video meeting, Headphone (1) has a 4-microphone ENC system that’s backed up by AI.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • As part of its strategy to reduce cancer rates, the European Commission aims to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% of the EU population by 2040.
    Lisa Klaassen, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Your bombastic attacks on the free press are, at best, unflattering — and at worst, undermine a core tenet of democracy.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • Trump is undermining our economy with reckless tariffs, harsh cuts, and ICE agents terrorizing our communities.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • In theory, this could help spotlight Alto Adige’s remarkable vineyard diversity - granite slopes, volcanic porphyry, glacial moraines - all compressed into just under 6,000 hectares of fragmented vineyards, layered across extreme altitudes.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
  • Burnout is a potential trade-off If your workload is heavy, compressing it into fewer days can backfire.
    Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The Army Corps’ solution was to take a meandering 103-mile river that snaked through one of the wildest areas in the state, drain it, and carve it into a ruler-straight, 56-mile 30-foot-deep canal dubbed the C-38 — not exactly fodder for the tourism board.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • In such situations, when a client has the resources and the inclination to go round after round, small municipalities have to decide whether to settle or stand on principle, draining their budget.
    Andrew Rice, Curbed, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • LeBron James already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Lakers for next season, the Rockets traded for Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
  • Three players ultimately declined to participate this time around: Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas and Barry Bonds.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • But in an unexpected ruling in 2023, the Supreme Court declined an invitation to weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
    June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
  • Abandoning recognition can erode motivation, diminish engagement and make employees feel invisible, weakening the cultural fabric and undermining long-term resilience.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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