1
as in increasing
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 accelerating
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
Airbags are designed to inflate automatically on impact.
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Recent Examples of inflating
Make inflating tires, balls, and wheels simple, fast and stress-free.
—
ABC News, 13 June 2026
Ask Before Inflating Inflatable pool toys are so fun, and the host most likely is fine with them—but do double-check with them before inflating.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026
In February, Musk folded his AI company, xAI, which makes the anti-liberal Grok and his satellite-internet service, Starlink, into SpaceX, inflating its value.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 10 June 2026
The research touches on the term benchmaxing, which is the practice of inflating AI benchmark scores not through better models, but through better server configurations.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 June 2026
All while limiting consumer choices and inflating prices for viewing games.
—Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026
This has combined to make Finals tickets at the Garden even scarcer, inflating prices on the secondary market.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Didn’t the Knicks completely turn the tables on his score-inflating strategy?
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
The complaint alleges the city is unlawfully inflating the assessed value, and taxes, of commercial properties that file abatements.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 26 May 2026
ABC News, 13 June 2026
Ask Before Inflating Inflatable pool toys are so fun, and the host most likely is fine with them—but do double-check with them before inflating.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026
In February, Musk folded his AI company, xAI, which makes the anti-liberal Grok and his satellite-internet service, Starlink, into SpaceX, inflating its value.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 10 June 2026
The research touches on the term benchmaxing, which is the practice of inflating AI benchmark scores not through better models, but through better server configurations.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 June 2026
All while limiting consumer choices and inflating prices for viewing games.
—Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026
This has combined to make Finals tickets at the Garden even scarcer, inflating prices on the secondary market.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Didn’t the Knicks completely turn the tables on his score-inflating strategy?
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
The complaint alleges the city is unlawfully inflating the assessed value, and taxes, of commercial properties that file abatements.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflating
Verb
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In the study, which analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health collected between 2021 and 2024, researchers say that despite numerous state-level bans on kratom across the nation, its use is at an all-time high and is increasing.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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These whales face increasing threats from climate change and human activity.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Australia is accelerating efforts to protect frontline troops from the growing threat of small drones, awarding a contract to defense technology firm OpenWorks under the Australian Defence Force’s Land 156 counter-drone program.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
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ReelShort is accelerating its Southeast Asia expansion with a new strategic partnership with Philippine telecommunications giant Globe, even as founder and CEO Joey Jia says the future of the company extends far beyond microdramas.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The miscommunications have once again put the majority leader in a difficult position, raising questions about why the president seems intent on making his life more difficult.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Gordon said in kicking off his comments and raising a hand to reveal a rubber finger pad.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Layne’s group has pushed county leaders to fund a continuous drug addiction treatment program, expanding access for those who need it both during and after incarceration.—
Gavin J. Quinton,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Episode 2 continues that methodology, pairing globally influential artists with scientific inquiry, while expanding the scope of both the artistry and the research.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Not surprisingly, the number keeps rising.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
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Enter Maddie’s Secret, Early’s directorial debut, which follows a chef at GourMaybe Test Kitchen whose rising place in the food-influencer world clashes with her lifelong struggle with bulimia.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
Verb
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That enhanced fiber swelling under microwaving exposes a greater number of accessible binding sites for pigment on keratin.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
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While the Hamptons enjoy a swelling population of seasonal residents, many of whom live in palatial mansions, the Container Studio was built for an artist looking for a compact creative space close to her Hamptons home.—
Caitlin Gunther,
Architectural Digest,
17 June 2026
Verb
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All else equal, ballooning America’s national debt should drive up the government’s borrowing costs and lead to higher interest rates for consumers, who would feel the pinch in their monthly mortgage and credit card payments.—
Ben Ritz,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Brynn Votano and Carmichael added to Westford’s run, ballooning their lead to two goals.—
Jason Cooke,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
Verb
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At the same time, progressive and labor groups that often find themselves at odds with the Chamber are avoiding jumping to conclusions, saying the move speaks more to the group’s quest for relevance than Becerra’s politics.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
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Nonprofit Kiss the Ground's latest survey reveals significant growth in regenerative agriculture awareness, jumping from 7% to 13% in a year, with one in four Americans now familiar with the term.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflating. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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