as in exaggerated
extended beyond normal or realistic bounds
he's been walking around with an inflated ego every since he got the promotion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in increased
to make greater in size, amount, or number
Check that you have inflated your tires to the recommended pressure. Some sellers were inflating their prices by as much as 500 per cent.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in accelerated
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
Airbags are designed to inflate automatically on impact.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of inflated
Danny Smith, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Getting at least three estimates can help homeowners identify inflated pricing, compare warranty coverage and better understand what services are included in the installation cost.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 May 2026
James Lasdun, New Yorker, 26 May 2026
When tariffs hit and the de minimis exemption was removed, our cost structure — all of a sudden — got inflated.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflated
Adjective
Keep your tires sufficiently inflated.
—Danny Smith, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Getting at least three estimates can help homeowners identify inflated pricing, compare warranty coverage and better understand what services are included in the installation cost.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Verb
If this is true, the anonymous e-mailer, who worked at Domino’s with Webb, had inflated a report of some harmless chitchat between Crosby and her tenants into an actionable violation of jurors’ instructions not to discuss the case.
—James Lasdun, New Yorker, 26 May 2026
When tariffs hit and the de minimis exemption was removed, our cost structure — all of a sudden — got inflated.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflated
Adjective
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However, while yellow journalism often resulted in articles that were exaggerated or misleading, TMZ usually takes pains to be rigorous and accurate in its reporting.—
Angelica Kalika,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
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Meanwhile, Ganni and Hill House Home have given the look a more playful spin, with puff sleeves, frilled details, and exaggerated proportions.—
Irina Grechko,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Verb
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There will also be increased MARTA staffing to help manage large crowds on the train platforms, and expansion of the MARTA Hope program which helps riders experiencing mental health crises, substance abuse or homelessness.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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As Korean stocks have surged, their weightings in global and emerging-market benchmarks have increased sharply, forcing many active fund managers to trim positions to stay within portfolio and risk limits, investors told CNBC.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The Islamic Republic of Iran has accelerated its executions of dissidents and activists, with the true number of victims likely obscured by the regime’s internet censorship and blackout.—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
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Ohtani, of course, has accelerated this process.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Verb
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On Tuesday, Anthropic expanded the effort to include 150 organizations in more than 15 countries.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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The word also figured heavily in the Alien and Sedition Acts, a set of four 18th century laws that restricted citizenship, expanded the president’s authority to detain and deport foreigners, and criminalized dissenting speech.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Verb
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That drop-off has come in part as the nation stopped growing its giant strategic stockpile, which has ballooned in recent years.—
Devika Krishna Kumar,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
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The city of Boise paused a water recycling project after its price tag ballooned from $56 million to $750 million.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Lucas Mukasa / Anadolu via Getty Images Angry protests swelled Monday, including in the central town of Nanyuki, which is set to host the quarantine center.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
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As crowds outside the venue swelled, officials brought in an additional 200 law enforcement officers during the early afternoon.—
Sofia Baltodano,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
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In his songs, the English language turned woolier and more expressionistic; musical space-time distended and stretched.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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His abdomen became distended, and his behavior changed — enough to concern caregivers.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Not only that, but USC rose to that level in a still-unfinished stadium, without anything resembling the NIL firepower that other college baseball teams, particularly in the SEC and ACC, are wielding.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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In total, Fort Worth ISD’s number of graduates who met CCMR criteria rose from 3,772 during the 2022-23 school year to just over 4,000 for the 2023-24 school year.—
Samuel O’Neal
June 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflated. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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