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
And the longer the Middle East remains engulfed in conflict, the higher international crude prices are likely to surge — and that will eventually trickle down to the gas pump, feeding inflation.
—
Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
Oil prices jumped after the impact of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran expanded beyond Gulf states, offering short-term fiscal relief for African crude producers while raising fresh inflation risks for the continent’s fuel importers.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Lower-income households tend to face the highest inflation rates, according to Bank of America Institute research.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
If the oil price hits $100, expect an inflation spike in the summer of this year and a slowing of global growth.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflation
Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
Oil prices jumped after the impact of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran expanded beyond Gulf states, offering short-term fiscal relief for African crude producers while raising fresh inflation risks for the continent’s fuel importers.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Lower-income households tend to face the highest inflation rates, according to Bank of America Institute research.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
If the oil price hits $100, expect an inflation spike in the summer of this year and a slowing of global growth.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 2 Mar. 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
-
The Iranians approached the diplomacy with arrogance, which – with absolute hubris.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The arrogance seen in 2010 is now also on display in how Lawson-Remer is making the case for weakening term limits as part of broader changes that would give the board’s Democratic majority (and its union allies) even more clout.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cluely might have deployed a few provocative stunts to raise millions of dollars for a service that didn’t really work and could barely be said to exist, but Donald Boat did away with even the pretense.—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Ever the showman, Marty relishes ditching the pretense and his wardrobe onstage, embracing his competitive streak.—
Emma Fraser,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The exquisite film, Derek vs Derek, raises pressing environmental issues, while conducting an exquisite study of idiosyncrasies at the same time, free of any pretension, though full of humor and substance.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
-
With his dweeby air, pretensions and position at the helm of an active production, Arthur is the Liz Lemon of this setup, but with the emphases reversed.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Twenty years later, in a twist fit for Hollywood itself, the tiny studio once brushed off as a billionaire scion’s vanity project is poised to be an entertainment behemoth.—
Matt Sedensky,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The complaints weren’t just about vanity sizing.—
Marisa McMillan,
Outside,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflation. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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