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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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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Recent Examples of deflating
But its industry titans are also locked in a knock-down, drag-out fight for market share, with brutal price wars and competition in a crowded home market deflating profits and stymieing growth.
—
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Entering May, the Giants are 13-18 and sit in last place in the NL West after being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, a deflating three games in the City of Brotherly Love that snapped their three-series winning streak.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Investigators said that likely because the tires were deflating, Johnson lost control of the fire engine at 1st Street and Main Street in downtown Longmont.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
And Vance doesn’t seem to mind deflating the balloon.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
But Lionel Messi and his team went home dejected after another deflating stalemate, this time 1-1 against the New England Revolution.
—Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Buffett was writing at a time when the Dot Com bubble was deflating.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Like every would-be playoff team, Portland had endured deflating losses and confidence-boosting victories.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Kaegi in many respects simply was the messenger who got removed for being in a post directly related to property taxes when many Chicago homeowners got the bad news late last year that their taxes had soared due to the pandemic’s deflating effect on commercial property values.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Entering May, the Giants are 13-18 and sit in last place in the NL West after being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, a deflating three games in the City of Brotherly Love that snapped their three-series winning streak.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Investigators said that likely because the tires were deflating, Johnson lost control of the fire engine at 1st Street and Main Street in downtown Longmont.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
And Vance doesn’t seem to mind deflating the balloon.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
But Lionel Messi and his team went home dejected after another deflating stalemate, this time 1-1 against the New England Revolution.
—Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Buffett was writing at a time when the Dot Com bubble was deflating.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Like every would-be playoff team, Portland had endured deflating losses and confidence-boosting victories.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Kaegi in many respects simply was the messenger who got removed for being in a post directly related to property taxes when many Chicago homeowners got the bad news late last year that their taxes had soared due to the pandemic’s deflating effect on commercial property values.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflating
Verb
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After collapsing on their home floor in the second half of Game 5, the Celtics squandered another chance to close out the underdog Sixers on Thursday, losing 106-93 in Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena to even the series at 3-3.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
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In April, two studies noted the critical current is in danger of weakening or even collapsing due to climate change, which could impact the climate and weather for hundreds of millions of people.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Along with sorting laundry, Martha recommends emptying pockets, zipping zippers, opening up buttons, tying loose strings, turning garments inside out, and blotting any stains to prevent them from spreading.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 2026
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This keeps the sidewalks cleaner, saves the cost of emptying trash cans, and keeps away vermin.—
Stephen Wade,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bass defended her administration’s handling of homelessness, pointing to declining homelessness counts and the city’s Inside Safe program, while criticizing Raman’s record on police hiring and past votes against some encampment enforcement measures near schools and other sensitive sites.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
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Poverty, lack of transportation to school and mental health struggles contribute to absenteeism and declining enrollment across San Diego County.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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While the court technically kept Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act intact, the ruling contributes to a series of decisions undermining the landmark 1965 law that protected racial minorities' collective voting power.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2026
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But more than half fear that politicization and confusion are undermining vaccine access.—
Michael C. Burgess,
STAT,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Check often to ensure melting snow isn't dripping on the meter from the roof or nearby trees.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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Fellow livestream host La La Anthony, a bronze goddess in a Wiederhoeft gown dripping with jewels, channeled her inner Jessica Rabbit with red hair.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Shane Lowry has the distinction of draining one of the more memorable putts in recent golf history.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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Grow crocosmia in moist, organically rich, well-draining soil in full sun to light shade.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These will compete with strawberries for nutrients and space—worse, cabbage leaves will create shade, reducing flower and fruit production.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
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Supporters of a rescue including labor unions representing Spirit’s pilots, flight attendants and ramp workers said a collapse would put thousands of Americans out of work and hurt consumers by reducing airline competition and increasing airfares.—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Dunn said Black domestic workers were often forced to work longer on election days by their white families, weakening their chances of casting a ballot.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
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If next week’s jobs report shows a still resilient labor market, that could relieve investors wary of a weakening economic outlook.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflating. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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