inflate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inflate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inflate are amplify, dilate, distend, expand, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When is amplify a more appropriate choice than inflate?

While in some cases nearly identical to inflate, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When is it sensible to use dilate instead of inflate?

The meanings of dilate and inflate largely overlap; however, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

Where would distend be a reasonable alternative to inflate?

Although the words distend and inflate have much in common, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When might expand be a better fit than inflate?

The synonyms expand and inflate are sometimes interchangeable, but expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When could swell be used to replace inflate?

The words swell and inflate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inflate So, in trying to force interest rates lower, Trump is demanding to further inflate an already historically high money supply even more. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025 Chanos—who made part of his fortune as a short-seller of Enron, an energy company investigated by Fortune for its widespread fraudulent practices—warned that as the AI bubble continues to inflate, financial fraud is bound to accompany the sector’s success. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025 That’s enough to inflate 107 balls, 19 bike tires, 16 motorcycle tires, or 5 car tires without needing to recharge. New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025 With the end of the exemption, this price pressure will ease, inflating overall prices. Neale Mahoney, Time, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflate
Verb
  • Stimulated mitochondria generate more ATP, while improved circulation increases blood flow and oxygenation.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Protests have also broken out due to ICE checkpoints popping up around the city and the police increasing curfew zones for minors.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rallied 1% after data showed accelerating growth in earnings for Japanese workers.
    Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Google and Meta on Friday announced new partnerships with Reliance Industries as the Indian conglomerate seeks to accelerate its push into artificial intelligence.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The deal, brokered after a standoff between state and county officials resulting from a disagreement over whether to raise assessments this year, means homeowners will see a nearly 7% increase above their 2024 property valuation.
    Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The Bundy family said information about the object removed from Ryan Bundy’s arm could raise more questions in the incident.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The tournament expanded from 24 teams to 32 at the start of the 1999-2000 season, with a second group stage then played before being replaced with the round of 16 in 2003-04.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This shift is reinforced by Russia’s push to expand its eastward infrastructure through the Power of Siberia pipelines cementing a more permanent divide in global energy markets.
    Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Set in early-1960s New York City, the film follows a folk song singing Minnesotan with a guitar and a dream, rising from a coffeehouse performer to a counterculture legend.
    Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Gabby Provenzano rose at the near post and powered home a header from point-blank range in the 81st minute, assisted by Sabrina McNeill’s cross off a corner.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Retail media has ballooned into a $60 billion business, on track to capture one in five advertising dollars.
    Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Demonstrators first took to the streets on Monday to push back against the country’s rising cost of living, and the protests have since ballooned and become violent after a police vehicle killed a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver at a rally on Thursday.
    Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During livestreams of Timmer’s tornado chases, large audiences swell and follow along in the hunt from the safety of home.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
  • These reports became a short story and then swelled to something else.
    Michael Jerome Plunkett September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The effect is to both collapse and distend time until all the souls in the book, most of them nameless anyway, exist at the same time, in the same place, forever.
    Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The pup’s abdomen was firm and distended.
    Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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