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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflating
For three deflating decades, IKEA’s dream of inflatable furniture fell flat.
—
Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The Lakers’ latest deflating loss could have used Doncic’s energy, his showmanship, his fire.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
The deflating defeat, narrated by an intermittent cascade of boos, rendered their record the worst in baseball at 7-16 and suddenly a half-game lousier than the idle New York Mets.
—Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
SpaceX’s sudden burst of AI investments also means the company is vulnerable to any deflating AI bubble.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 4 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
Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The Lakers’ latest deflating loss could have used Doncic’s energy, his showmanship, his fire.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
The deflating defeat, narrated by an intermittent cascade of boos, rendered their record the worst in baseball at 7-16 and suddenly a half-game lousier than the idle New York Mets.
—Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
SpaceX’s sudden burst of AI investments also means the company is vulnerable to any deflating AI bubble.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 4 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflating
Verb
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There have been 22 reports of the stools collapsing, with six injuries, including bruising and scrapes.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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Cuba’s economy, which has been in a steep decline for several years, has hit rock bottom, and the population has been enduring shortages, blackouts and the effects of collapsing infrastructure.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
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This means emptying out saucers, watering cans, and baby pools.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
-
Across China, Japan and South Korea, young people left their countryside homes in droves to find work in major cities, often leaving behind emptying villages occupied by a shrinking number of elderly people.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Black Bear officials cited the program's declining participation rates and finances as the reason.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
Sadly, bat populations are declining rapidly in North America.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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My ongoing efforts entail identifying ways that AI is helping mental well-being, in addition to ways that AI is simultaneously undermining mental well-being, see the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Rivalry between India-China, competing interests of Iran-UAE, and divisions over Russia’s Ukraine war are undermining the alliance’s push to counter Western dominance.—
Sheikh Saaliq,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The fashion is already as glittering as ever, with jury member Demi Moore, along with fellow actors Jane Fonda and Maika Monroe all arriving for opening night dripping in sequins.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
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Eating a cold slice of cantaloupe over a kitchen sink, its juices dripping down your forearms, is one of summer’s greatest pleasures.—
Janet McCracken,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Succulents require a well-draining soil with a lightweight texture.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
-
Plant in fast-draining potting soil, and give full sun and moderate water.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Eco effort The Pig group’s 25-mile menu keeps suppliers local, reducing food miles and packaging in the process.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Its document generation tools guide founders through complex legal processes step by step, reducing errors and ensuring completeness.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
That separation is now weakening.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflating. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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