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
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
It’s made with water-resistant polyester, and inflates in less than five minutes, thanks to its powerful fans.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Critics say investor cash inflates prices above what many house hunters can afford, essentially squeezing out first-time buyers.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
The decoy unfolds from a compact square box and inflates into a full-size F-35 replica within minutes.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
This is classic detection bias that inflates risk estimates without reflecting true health differences.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
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
It’s made with water-resistant polyester, and inflates in less than five minutes, thanks to its powerful fans.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Critics say investor cash inflates prices above what many house hunters can afford, essentially squeezing out first-time buyers.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
The decoy unfolds from a compact square box and inflates into a full-size F-35 replica within minutes.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
This is classic detection bias that inflates risk estimates without reflecting true health differences.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflates
Verb
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But there are several notable categories where the quality increases with cost, and one of those is noise-canceling headphones.—
Maggie Slepian,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Pushing frozen branches upright quickly increases the chances of breakage.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Honda accelerates, colliding with two parked vehicles and a light post.—
Devon Lum,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
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The nation’s siloed and shrinking media environment accelerates this trend.—
Brandon Rottinghaus,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That extraordinary footage, along with video shot by bystanders and a 3D model created by CNN of the confrontation, shows Good and her wife challenging ICE officers – but also raises new questions about Ross’s tactics and decision to use deadly force.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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In a statement, Stanford student and Drop the Charges organizer Mark Allen Cu said the case raises broader questions about free speech and dissent on campus.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This foldable tote bag packs flat, expands instantly, and can carry souvenirs, beach gear, or laundry.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
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That's how the music conveys that, expands it.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When wet clothes are placed near exterior walls—which are much colder than interior walls in the winter—moisture rises to the cold surface, creating the perfect conditions for trapping moisture and causing mold growth.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
During this season, sap rises to the top of the tree.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While the number of retirees swells, the pool of workers funding the social safety net — and caring for the aging population — is narrowing.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
7 Jan. 2026
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There's a sort of a natural world religiousness or spirituality or philosophy that swells around a lot of things and different characters.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflates. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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