as in affectation
the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case
the personal essay accompanying his college application was devoid of the inflation and self-aggrandizement that all too often is found in such writings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflation
Travel and entertainment costs have been a major source of inflation, and although the average consumer would probably argue otherwise, ticket prices actually fell by over 3% last year, according to official statistics.
—
Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
But public attitudes about the economy have not risen to match the record-breaking stock market and expectations-beating inflation and jobs report, defining the challenge for the president’s party in November’s midterms.
—Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Slok added that employment, productivity and inflation stats are still not showing signs of the new technology.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjusted for inflation, flying is actually 36% cheaper now than in 1995.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflation
Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
But public attitudes about the economy have not risen to match the record-breaking stock market and expectations-beating inflation and jobs report, defining the challenge for the president’s party in November’s midterms.
—Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Slok added that employment, productivity and inflation stats are still not showing signs of the new technology.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjusted for inflation, flying is actually 36% cheaper now than in 1995.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflation
Noun
-
For the most part though, For the First Time, Again is weighed down by oversinging and emotional affectation.—
Millan Verma,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The self-conscious aspiration to hipness here is unfortunate and decidedly not cool, but some may find such affectations quaint.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Raised on a strict diet of toughness and discipline by his father, Dean arrives with undeniable talent – and an arrogance that quickly earns him enemies.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Things moved about at the top with a little more arrogance and zip but at the bottom was the ever-moving present.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Call it polish without pretense.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
This is not an e-bike; there are no pedals and, interestingly, no pretense of a bicycle categorization to blur regulatory lines.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His lack of pretension, reflected in performances that found power in subtlety, only added to the admiration of his peers and the public.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The menu is elevated, but without pretension.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If there’s not enough space in your vanity to keep the counter clear, a storage cabinet is a great way to keep daily items accessible.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
So, roughly $300 billion – a 7% gap – separates these three countries from California on this vanity scoreboard.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflation. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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