inflate
verb
in·flate
| \ in-ˈflāt
\
\
inflated;
inflating
Definition of inflate
1
: to swell or distend with air or gas
2
: to puff up : elate
inflate one's ego
3
: to expand or increase abnormally or imprudently
: to become inflated
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Other Words from inflate
inflator
or inflater \ in-ˈflā-tər
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of inflate in a Sentence
We used a pump to inflate the raft.
Economists warn that rapid economic growth could inflate prices.
Increased competition has inflated salaries among professional athletes.
Rapid economic growth may cause prices to inflate.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Mahathir has said the fact that the project’s cost could be slashed by 21.5 billion ringgit ($5.2 billion) showed initial projections were inflated when former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government awarded the main contract to CCCC in 2016. — Washington Post, "China to fund 85% of Malaysia’s revived rail project," 25 July 2019 Van Valkenburg was wearing an inflatable life jacket, but it was not inflated, deputies said. — oregonlive.com, "Medford man drowns trying to raise anchor on Rogue River," 23 July 2019 The balls were inflated at the top to account for the change in air pressure. — Meghan Mcdonough, Quartz, "Female soccer players are breaking world records to show they’re just as good as the guys," 7 July 2019 In March, a newborn at Warsi’s hospital developed breathing difficulty and was given medicines that allow the lungs to inflate more easily, and placed on ventilation. — Ranjit Devraj, Quartz India, "Superbugs have returned to haunt India’s hospitals," 23 July 2019 Several hospital employees told investigators they were pressured to inflate their take on the incident to support criminal charges against Alvarez because an officer was injured. — Sukey Lewis, The Mercury News, "Excessive use of force by police chief’s son leads to arrest of patient at Napa State Hospital," 19 June 2019 Some consumers paid twice for the same subscription and some complained about what appeared to be substantially inflated renewal rates, according to the complaint. — oregonlive.com, "Federal judge in OR orders halt to national newspaper subscription scam, issues $8.9 million judgment," 12 June 2019 Keep in mind that ERAs are going to be inflated for any pitcher taking the mound in the Pacific Coast League. — Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, "Rockies Mailbag: What’s really wrong with Kyle Freeland? MLB trade deadline, team sports psychologist and more," 4 June 2019 One risk is that easier money inflates an asset bubble that eventually implodes. — Matt Egan, CNN, "Inside the Fed's 'hall of mirrors' problem," 9 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inflate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for inflate
inflate
verb
English Language Learners Definition of inflate
: to add air or gas to (something, such as a tire or a balloon) and make it larger
: to become larger by being filled with air or gas
: to think or say that (something) is larger or more important than it really is
See the full definition for inflate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
inflate
verb
in·flate
| \ in-ˈflāt
\
\
inflated;
inflating
Kids Definition of inflate
1
: to swell or fill with air or gas
inflate a balloon
2
: to cause to increase beyond proper limits
Prices have been inflated.
inflate
verb
in·flate
| \ in-ˈflāt
\
\
inflated;
inflating
Medical Definition of inflate
: to swell or distend with air or gas
inflate the lungs
: to become inflated
Other Words from inflate
inflation
\ in-ˈflā-shən
\
noun
\
noun
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