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
Students that are assigned a teacher that inflates grades are more likely to score poorly on future tests.
—
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Their croaking involves pushing air over vocal cords into a thin membrane known as a vocal sac that inflates under the chin.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
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
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Their croaking involves pushing air over vocal cords into a thin membrane known as a vocal sac that inflates under the chin.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflates
Verb
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Removing financial barriers to entering the profession broadens access and increases teacher diversity.—
Valentyna Banner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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The other important factor here is that autonomy increases the possible volume of military strikes.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Willis said the city should examine several scenarios, including the cost of repairing City Hall, the land’s value as redevelopment accelerates around the convention center and the broader trajectory of downtown.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
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This is especially important after age 65, which is when muscle loss accelerates, Zinn says.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That raises serious concerns about privacy, dignity, and the well-being of kids who just want to belong and participate like their peers.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
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The Booker plan also raises taxes on the wealthy as a partial offset for its costs.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The sequel significantly expands the scope of the original film’s story, moving from a single deadly night with one family into a much larger and more dangerous world of power-hungry rivals.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
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The darkly satiric film expands to LA, SF, and DC next week and nationwide throughout April.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Creative fire rises as the nurturing Moon enters Aries and gleams within your 5th House of Creativity, encouraging bold self-expression in whichever way most pleases your heart.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2026
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If tension rises, be willing to take breaks for water or snacks.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unlike the sleek mansions lining much of California’s shoreline, this unassuming house has always felt like something out of a fisherman’s tale—shrouded in salt spray as swells crash against the rocks below.—
Jennifer Fernandez,
Architectural Digest,
6 Mar. 2026
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Cocoa Beach is Florida’s ultimate surf-and-sand playground with six miles of golden sand, Atlantic swells for every skill level, and rocket launches visible on the horizon.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflates. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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