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
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
For those who are, the effect is more like sitting on a slowly deflating whoopee cushion soaked in arterial spray.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
The ingredient, a vasoconstrictor, tightens blood vessels beneath the eyes—in turn, deflating puffiness and tightening skin’s appearance.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
As the Dodge attempted to enter the highway, officers deployed stop sticks, deflating two of the vehicle’s tires.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
The Pico Pump is a teeny tiny air pump for inflating everything from sleeping pads to minnow boats – and deflating them in a flash too.
—New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026
To run it back at running back remains deflating.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
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
For those who are, the effect is more like sitting on a slowly deflating whoopee cushion soaked in arterial spray.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
The ingredient, a vasoconstrictor, tightens blood vessels beneath the eyes—in turn, deflating puffiness and tightening skin’s appearance.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
As the Dodge attempted to enter the highway, officers deployed stop sticks, deflating two of the vehicle’s tires.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
The Pico Pump is a teeny tiny air pump for inflating everything from sleeping pads to minnow boats – and deflating them in a flash too.
—New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026
To run it back at running back remains deflating.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflating
Verb
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In September, federal investigators with the National Institute of Standards and Technology said in a statement the partial collapse of the previous tower likely began from the pool deck, which started collapsing before the rest of the building.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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The second force is collapsing barriers to entry.—
Michael Jacobides,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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How to Start Chaos Decluttering While the idea of emptying an entire space might feel daunting, the key is to start with smaller, preset zones.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Its All-in-One PowerDock automates maintenance by self-emptying dust for up to 100 days, washing mops with hot water, and refilling its own solution.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Nuggets refused to engage, declining to respond on the off day.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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Variety is tracking which programs could land on the Emmy ballots, and has once again found a declining pool of eligible series.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The markets, which include Polymarket and its chief rival Kalshi, have been criticized for everything from undermining the integrity of sports to contributing to an online betting addiction crisis among young men.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Any sustained rise in energy prices risks widening the current account deficit and undermining macroeconomic stability.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Always place the package on a plate or inside a container—raw meat dripping onto produce or leftovers is one of the most common sources of cross-contamination in the home kitchen.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
19 Apr. 2026
-
That, of course, and the occasional ghostly presences, unsettling cries, and blood dripping from the ceiling.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is actively draining the American wallet.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
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The perfusionist questioned the decision to stop disinfecting the units, saying his concern with draining was that if the tanks weren’t completely dry and still contained moisture, bacteria could form.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The station initially bridged the sudden budget gap last year by reaching out to donors directly and reducing costs to bring down overhead.—
Savannah Sicurella,
AJC.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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The ship suffered substantial damage, and the Reagan administration retaliated by damaging or sinking three Iranian warships and three oil platforms, drastically reducing Tehran’s ability to engage in the gulf.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The impact of those exits could turn out to be the most lasting, potentially weakening the Justice Department for many years to come, several former longterm DOJ lawyers who worked across areas told USA TODAY.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
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Moisture can lead to weakening the tree or shrub's protective layer and create an environment for fungal growth, rot, or disease, says Putnam.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflating. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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