1
as in increases
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.
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2
as in accelerates
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
Airbags are designed to inflate automatically on impact.
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Recent Examples of inflates
An avalanche airbag backpack that inflates after the skier pulls the trigger giving the person a chance to stay above or close to the surface during an avalanche.
—
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
This practice artificially inflates prices and prevents everyday Texans from outbidding Wall Street.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Now, rather than invest in more powerful and more expensive technologies, some scientists are using an alternative technique called expansion microscopy, which inflates the subject using the same moisture-absorbing material found in diapers.
—Molly Herring, Quanta Magazine, 4 Feb. 2026
The same metric that inflates benefits in some regulatory contexts, understates them in others.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The towable clamshell unfolds and inflates into a cozy base camp in a matter of minutes.
—New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2025
When American companies are forced to rely on equipment that is slower, smaller and less seaworthy because federal policy artificially inflates ship prices, the resulting delays, losses and failures should come as no surprise.
—Colin Grabow, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Some analysts say this structure, where Nvidia is essentially subsidizing one of its biggest customers, artificially inflates actual demand for AI.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 23 Nov. 2025
The hard part is looking cool when your glove inflates like a giant smurf head.
—Outside Online, 5 Nov. 2025
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
This practice artificially inflates prices and prevents everyday Texans from outbidding Wall Street.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Now, rather than invest in more powerful and more expensive technologies, some scientists are using an alternative technique called expansion microscopy, which inflates the subject using the same moisture-absorbing material found in diapers.
—Molly Herring, Quanta Magazine, 4 Feb. 2026
The same metric that inflates benefits in some regulatory contexts, understates them in others.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The towable clamshell unfolds and inflates into a cozy base camp in a matter of minutes.
—New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2025
When American companies are forced to rely on equipment that is slower, smaller and less seaworthy because federal policy artificially inflates ship prices, the resulting delays, losses and failures should come as no surprise.
—Colin Grabow, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Some analysts say this structure, where Nvidia is essentially subsidizing one of its biggest customers, artificially inflates actual demand for AI.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 23 Nov. 2025
The hard part is looking cool when your glove inflates like a giant smurf head.
—Outside Online, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflates
Verb
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Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals Eating larger meals packed with fiber can be more difficult for the digestive tract to break down, and increases the likelihood of gas and bloating.—
Pamela Assid Woughter,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2026
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This increases processing costs and reduces the effectiveness and efficiency of the recycling program.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Alarm over health harms accelerates Concern over the risks of flame retardants, heavy metals, pesticides and endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic hormones in the body has been growing as more studies point to serious health impacts.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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As this trend accelerates, Imax becomes an increasingly valuable player.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Two months later, the board approved raises for vice chancellors who also rank near the top of the salary scale.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
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The event, hosted by Bay Club, raises money for continued research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s disease.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bill expands on previous legislation passed banning cell phone use in kindergarten through eighth grade classrooms.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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As Texas–Taiwan semiconductor trade expands, a potential conflict between China and the island could disrupt global supply chains.—
Victoria Baeza Garcia,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Long-wavelength gravity anomalies are fingerprints of interior dynamics — clues to how heat escapes a planet, how dense material sinks and how buoyant material rises.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
25 Feb. 2026
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An overnight stakeout on a deserted winter beach, a mystery creature ripping line for close to an hour, an angler refusing to quit, and then the moment a drone rises over the water and delivers the answer.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When the lights dim and the music swells, the highlight of the day unfolds.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
25 Feb. 2026
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As the arrangement swells, her layers of vocals begin to blend together—one line scatting while another rises in a chant.—
Precious Fondren,
Pitchfork,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflates. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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