inflation

noun

in-ˈflā-shən How to pronounce inflation (audio)
Definition of inflationnext
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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inflation In his inaugural Jackson Hole speech as chairman, Warsh warned that persistent inflation may necessitate further monetary tightening. — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Iceland has grappled with persistently high inflation and rates that made mortgages punishingly expensive. — Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 Indeed, inflation has soared above 80%, with prices for certain food staples up 100%. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 Iceland has grappled with high inflation and interest rates that have made mortgages expensive. — CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflation
  1. affectation
  2. arrogance
  3. pretense
  4. pretension
  5. vanity
Noun
  • With rare exceptions, EV sound is little more than an affectation.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Robinhood's banking product arrived with private-bank affectations, estate planning, event access, cash to the door, priced at $5 a month inside a bundle a 30-year-old already pays for.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of affectation
Noun
  • What might seem arrogance in others feels merely reasonable coming from her.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But while that might suggest arrogance, Dawson’s answer to another question reflects humility.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • Behind closed doors, Chloe gets hired by Melody under the pretense that Chloe is helping her teacher’s illiterate husband learn how to read.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • This entire argument has been under the pretense that the Steelers will need a win — and Rudolph will deliver it.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretense
Noun
  • The genre, with its sanitized storylines and Oscar-baiting pretensions, seems fundamentally at odds with the iconoclastic chef and television personality.
    — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Like Paul Schrader’s 1982 version of the latter, this is an upscale genre piece whose pretensions towards Art are upfront, starting with a quotation from no less than Schopenhauer.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of pretension
Noun
  • The bathroom brings that rich blue into focus with its gilded vanity and various textures.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Nine-foot stainless-steel screens, originally designed to keep fish from swimming into dams, were reshaped into curved, airfoil-like vanity doors.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of vanity

Browse Nearby Words

inflating
inflation
inflect
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Cite this Entry

“Inflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflation. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inflation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inflation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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