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
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
And after a deflating loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, the Rams needed a result on Monday that got them back moving in the right direction in their penultimate game of the regular season.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
While white elephant exchanges often allow for humor, the moment felt especially deflating given the context.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
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
And after a deflating loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, the Rams needed a result on Monday that got them back moving in the right direction in their penultimate game of the regular season.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
While white elephant exchanges often allow for humor, the moment felt especially deflating given the context.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflating
Verb
-
Nothing says happy Valentine’s Day like a collapsing birth rate.—
Kate Andrews,
Washington Post,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The couple saw major flood damage during the same set of storms, with a wall collapsing and the house later condemned by the city.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Wash food containers by hand or in the dishwasher as soon as possible after emptying.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Beijing city streets start emptying out several days in advance as the majority of residents return to their hometowns or travel elsewhere.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has broken with custom by declining to invite all governors to the traditional White House meeting and dinner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Today, magnet programs have become a general recruitment strategy in a school system with declining enrollment.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Broad political characterizations oversimplify complex legal processes and risk undermining confidence in an independent judiciary.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Adding Medicaid work-reporting requirements to this already fragile balancing act risks undermining the system that makes aging in the community possible.—
Emily D. Tisdale,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Antnation Boho Smocked Top Set This $37 boho set is a one-and-done spring travel outfit that’s dripping in carefree, vacation-ready style.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The singer can be seen in fan videos on social media performing with something taped to his chest and blood dripping from his eyes.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To prevent this from happening again, repot the peace lily in fresh soil that is well-draining.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Wembanyama made a 3-pointer, but Raptors star Barnes ended it by draining his only shot of the game.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to the effects of the pandemic and tariffs, climate issues — drought in Vietnam, heavy rain in Indonesia, and hot, dry weather in Brazil — are blamed for reducing yields of coffee crops and driving up global prices.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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That means air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration will receive paychecks as usual, reducing the risk of widespread flight cancellations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Unbalanced Or Leaning Tree A weakening root system or poor pruning practices can cause a tree to lean to one side.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
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My opponent, Tim O’Hare, has led with ideology and performative politics, reducing transparency, weakening public participation, and creating financial instability through deficit-style budgeting and reserve spending.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflating. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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