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
And amid the upheaval of the roster at the trade deadline, the Bulls have completely lost their ability to beat teams out of the break, resulting in a recurring — and deflating — pattern of competing decently in the first half, then falling apart after halftime.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
The criminal mania of cult leader and prolific psychedelic user Charles Manson, who murdered seven people in 1969, is often cited by researchers as an example of the worst possible outcome of psychedelic use untempered by an ego-deflating ritual process.
—Erica Rex, STAT, 19 Feb. 2026
Here’s a look at how Malinin’s deflating night unfolded.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Eventually, the energy of the performance shifted from party to statement piece—yet smart stagecraft made that shift feel climactic rather than deflating.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Some sequences would have required knowledge of special effects, with balloons inflating and deflating under glass, and pieces of paper bursting into flames.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In 2015, the Patriots were accused of intentionally deflating the balls of AFC Championship opponent Indianapolis Colts.
—Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Appalled at Kansas’ 1-2 start in Big 12 Conference play, the KU basketball seniors called a players-only meeting in their Allen Fieldhouse locker room in the aftermath of the Jayhawks’ deflating 86-75 loss at West Virginia on Saturday.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2026
The sheriff’s office has a strict policy about chasing drivers so deputies ahead at mile markers 68 and 69 laid down the spike strips, deflating his tires, Linhardt said.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
The criminal mania of cult leader and prolific psychedelic user Charles Manson, who murdered seven people in 1969, is often cited by researchers as an example of the worst possible outcome of psychedelic use untempered by an ego-deflating ritual process.
—Erica Rex, STAT, 19 Feb. 2026
Here’s a look at how Malinin’s deflating night unfolded.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Eventually, the energy of the performance shifted from party to statement piece—yet smart stagecraft made that shift feel climactic rather than deflating.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Some sequences would have required knowledge of special effects, with balloons inflating and deflating under glass, and pieces of paper bursting into flames.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In 2015, the Patriots were accused of intentionally deflating the balls of AFC Championship opponent Indianapolis Colts.
—Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Appalled at Kansas’ 1-2 start in Big 12 Conference play, the KU basketball seniors called a players-only meeting in their Allen Fieldhouse locker room in the aftermath of the Jayhawks’ deflating 86-75 loss at West Virginia on Saturday.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2026
The sheriff’s office has a strict policy about chasing drivers so deputies ahead at mile markers 68 and 69 laid down the spike strips, deflating his tires, Linhardt said.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflating
Verb
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A number of buildings were seen collapsing in this wave of strikes on Friday as the death toll continues to rise, an ABC News team in Lebanon observed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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What becomes cheap or free Khosla’s deflationary vision is built on a series of sectors collapsing in cost.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 2009, employees Burr Oak Cemetery employees were accused of digging up old graves, emptying their remains in various locations around the grounds, then reselling the burial plots to newly grieving families.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
5 Mar. 2026
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Healthy fats to help slow gastric emptying and blunt glucose spikes.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Instead of coming from declining direct-to-home satellite taxes, the money would come directly from state sales and use taxes.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Patriotism is also a factor, and expressions of fear can be seen as undermining a nation under attack.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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Experts warn that militarizing the anti-cartel fight risks undermining rule of law in regions where civilian institutions are weak and corruption is endemic.—
Joshua Goodman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In November, Aguilera modeled a plunging satin corset dripping with pearls in a behind-the-scenes clip uploaded on Instagram.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
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Animal Control was also called to the home in concern for the dog's safety due to blood still dripping from her privates four weeks into her heat cycle.—
Scott Butler,
Florida Times-Union,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This boost in oil revenue would likely hand Putin new revenue for his war effort in Ukraine, an enormous expenditure that has been draining Russia’s economy, according to James Henderson at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
10 Mar. 2026
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Find a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Many gardeners embrace biodiversity in turf areas to support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while reducing the inputs needed for lawn maintenance.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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That means potentially shutting down or reducing ice time for some of its biggest stars who are playing through nagging injuries.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That hasn’t happened, and attacks continue to fly, potentially weakening the eventual GOP nominee.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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Bank of England officials will now have to weigh the risks of weakening demand in the UK economy, against surging oil and gas prices.—
Irina Anghel,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflating. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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