1
as in collapsing
to become smaller in size or volume due to loss of contents
We kept her birthday decorations up until the balloons started deflating.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emptying
to make smaller in size or volume by removing the contents
Please deflate the air mattress and fold it up before you leave.
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3
as in declining
to make or become lower in amount or value
The excess supply deflated prices. The company's stock has deflated.
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4
as in undermining
to cause to lose force or effectiveness
Her cutting remark deflated his ego. The lawsuit deflated their hopes for a quick resolution.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflating
Instead of mechanical rollers, this mask uses inflating and deflating mechanisms to gently squeeze around your eyes and temples, creating a rhythmic, pulse-like massage.
—
Siena Gagliano, Allure, 13 Mar. 2025
Finally, after a disappointing loss to the Trojans at the Galen Center was followed by an even more deflating setback against their rivals at Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins mustered a strong rebuttal heading into the season’s most important stretch.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2025
For some people this could be deflating, but Fonda took it as a point of pride.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 26 Feb. 2025
In this season of abnormal normality, Newcastle United have repeatedly scratched lines through their history, winning at venues where winning has felt impossible, but the Etihad Stadium on Saturday brought a deflating return to tradition.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
Confounding history If all of that is rather deflating, there are reasons to be heartened that, this season, things have been — and can be — different.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Its dialogue and writing feel more thoughtful and immediately impactful, never dancing around hard topics or deflating its intent by being too slight.
—Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
The alternative, of course, is lose and negativity breeds and blossoms and the mutterings about another deflating window become louder.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
While deflating, the machine records the beats as the heart pushes blood through the artery and measures the highest (systolic) and lowest (diastolic) pressure.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2025
Siena Gagliano, Allure, 13 Mar. 2025
Finally, after a disappointing loss to the Trojans at the Galen Center was followed by an even more deflating setback against their rivals at Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins mustered a strong rebuttal heading into the season’s most important stretch.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2025
For some people this could be deflating, but Fonda took it as a point of pride.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 26 Feb. 2025
In this season of abnormal normality, Newcastle United have repeatedly scratched lines through their history, winning at venues where winning has felt impossible, but the Etihad Stadium on Saturday brought a deflating return to tradition.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
Confounding history If all of that is rather deflating, there are reasons to be heartened that, this season, things have been — and can be — different.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Its dialogue and writing feel more thoughtful and immediately impactful, never dancing around hard topics or deflating its intent by being too slight.
—Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
The alternative, of course, is lose and negativity breeds and blossoms and the mutterings about another deflating window become louder.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
While deflating, the machine records the beats as the heart pushes blood through the artery and measures the highest (systolic) and lowest (diastolic) pressure.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflating
Verb
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Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse On March 26, a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, collapsing the bridge and killing six construction workers who were filling potholes on the span.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
26 Dec. 2024
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This pre-dates the casual fashions that would take hold during the 1960s, eventually collapsing traditional dressiness by the 1970s, making Sumbariners and GMT Masters the thing to wear.—
Allen Farmelo,
Robb Report,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Here’s what that means for your money Despite the change, beneficiaries should weigh strategic IRA withdrawals, depending on tax brackets each year, which could mean emptying accounts sooner, experts say.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2025
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Fully exhale each breath, emptying your lungs as much as possible, making your exhales longer than your inhales.—
Dana Santas,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This subjectivity can lead to inconsistencies in how the rule is applied, potentially undermining the fairness of the game.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Critics argue that billionaire owners could censor critical commentary, undermining journalism's role in holding power accountable.—
Flynn Nicholls,
Newsweek,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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These chatbots can resolve common employee queries, automate ticket routing and provide 24/7 assistance, reducing dependency on support staff.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Studies show these reforms—reducing minimum parking requirements, legalizing ADUs, and simplifying permitting processes—resulted in more housing.—
Adam A. Millsap,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
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With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Federal Reserve only just started bringing down short-term interest rates in recent months after pumping them up in the last two years to address inflation.—
Austin Corona,
The Arizona Republic,
3 Jan. 2025
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Asher said states and local governments, as well as philanthropies, are pumping money into programs to bring down violent crime.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In one set of photos, she is seen wearing a black dress with a plunging neckline from the collection.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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The dress featured a plunging neckline and thick straps with a hemline above Cavallari’s knees.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The experience of evacuating their during the Los Angeles wildfires was shocking for Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
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Whoever’s scolding me from a tree, evacuating their bowels onto my car, chattering away with their nonstop, cheerful blather, or just giving me a smarmy look from my own book — THAT is my least favorite bird right now.—
Matt Kracht,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflating. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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