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
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Recent Examples of inflation
On Friday, the personal consumption expenditures price index showed that consumer spending stayed strong even as inflation remains stubbornly elevated and the cost of food and other goods continues to rise.
—
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
External risks—inflation, interest rates, and cybersecurity—remain top concerns for CFOs.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Gold in particular is considered a hedge against inflation and instability.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
In addition to everything else on our plates, Black women are dealing with inflation that is definitely inflationing, layoffs that seem never ending (and quite frankly, for those of us who get to keep our jobs, has us anxious everyday), and a job market that’s increasingly unpredictable.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflation
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
External risks—inflation, interest rates, and cybersecurity—remain top concerns for CFOs.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Gold in particular is considered a hedge against inflation and instability.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
In addition to everything else on our plates, Black women are dealing with inflation that is definitely inflationing, layoffs that seem never ending (and quite frankly, for those of us who get to keep our jobs, has us anxious everyday), and a job market that’s increasingly unpredictable.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflation
Noun
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But Lloyd’s awkward staging here and questionable affectations (including an audience clap-along) makes Pozzo’s relationship with Lucky unfocused and puzzling.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
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The band sets aside the winks and retro affectations for something unadorned and honest.—
Sarah Grant,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The series follows the fictional Holliday, a former star whose arrogance burned every bridge.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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Blenkin told Variety in September 2025 that his character's laughter comes from arrogance.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Multiple Democrats say Vought and the president were determined to use the shutdown as a pretense for inflicting further pain on political opponents.—
Franco Ordoñez,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
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Composer Deantoni Parks’s score sustains and amplifies the tension, heightening the creeping pretense of water rushing forward and the punishing breathlessness of struggling back upstream.—
Anne Reeve,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But she is best remembered for Keeping Up Appearances and her role as Hyacinth Bucket, a working-class woman with pretensions of social superiority.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
3 Oct. 2025
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There's no pretension here: San Pancho's beach is dotted with boutique hotels and homes for rent and an array of restaurants, mostly of the no-frills and unassuming variety.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Happy Valentine’s Day card The vanity in the dressing room of the pop-up is the Easter egg mother lode, according to the Spotify reps, who encouraged us to look closely on it for clues.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
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This means cleaning your toilet, vanity countertops, and scrubbing the shower door and tiles.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflation. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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