inflated 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈflā-təd How to pronounce inflated (audio)
Definition of inflatednext
as in exaggerated
extended beyond normal or realistic bounds he's been walking around with an inflated ego every since he got the promotion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

inflated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of inflate
1
as in increased
to make greater in size, amount, or number Check that you have inflated your tires to the recommended pressure. Some sellers were inflating their prices by as much as 500 per cent.

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2
as in accelerated
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number Airbags are designed to inflate automatically on impact.

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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 inflated
Adjective
Both developments create concerns among some observers that the companies are overseeing inflated volumes or, at worst, are experiencing wash trading, in which traders collude to buy and sell an asset to create a false sense of economic activity. — Davis Giangiulio,ananya Chetia, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026 And yet, these inflated scores might be worth it simply to see the absolute shock and joy on the pair’s faces when those paddles go up. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
If their tax refund was inflated by claiming tax credits that don't apply to them, the taxpayer had to verify their ID first and then amend a return before any federal income tax refund could be issued. — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2026 With its latest invention, Domino’s has taken what would seem like a standard-issue, limited-time offering and inflated it into a statement of identity. — Tim Carman, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflated
  1. exaggerated
  2. increased
  3. accelerated
  4. expanded
  5. ballooned
  6. swelled
  7. distended
  8. rose
Adjective
  • The team’s 23-year-old in-house expert in men’s tailoring, Mario Vidal, also cut Carlos’s jackets to be wide on the shoulders and tight at the waist, adding further drama with exaggerated lapels.
    — Elaina Patton, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
  • In a series of TikTok videos made yesterday, North West debuted an exaggerated prosthetic chin and slick-black bob, tagging the Bad Girls star.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of exaggerated
Verb
  • During a July 27 Highfill Water and Sewer Committee meeting, Kahrl reported the number of active water meters in the city increased from 2,077 to 2,285 over 12 months.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • More recently, the evolution of AI has increased the ease with which these websites can be populated with content, eliminating the need to pay writers and automating the production of social media posts.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of increased
Verb
  • The vehicle then accelerated forward, and Foster moved directly in front of it with his gun drawn.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The focus on fraud has noticeably accelerated in the weeks leading up to the election.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of accelerated
Verb
  • But the lead quickly expanded in the second half, thanks to a 15-0 run by Charlotte, which lasted nearly three minutes and was capped off by Allen’s three-pointer.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Development began in the 1970s, and the system became operational for military use before civilian access expanded.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of expanded
Verb
  • What started out as a small competition with a few analyst teams presenting ideas to the CEO has since ballooned into one of the company’s most popular events of the year.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In the years since its inception, Evolution Mallorca ballooned into a destination festival showcasing the best of cinema produced in the region but also attracting major international names.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of ballooned
Verb
  • The ranks of the protesters have also swelled to include some more opportunistic looters and agitators.
    — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Piper Sandler’s annual teen survey — polling 9,000 teens across 47 states — shows overall beauty spend swelled 7 percent this year, with growth across all key categories, including cosmetics, skin care, hair and fragrance.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of swelled
Verb
  • Films today tend to err on the side of length in a way that can feel like fiction being distended.
    — Elissa Suh, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But the groaning synthesizer underneath her bashful smile tells you something is off — a crystalline tone now distended, unnerving.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of distended
Verb
  • During Lula's first two terms in office, from 2003 to 2010, Brazil's economy boomed, and millions of Brazilians rose out of poverty.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Was the last petal from the enchanted rose about to fall, this beauty of a season due to turn ugly?
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of rose

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Cite this Entry

“Inflated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflated. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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