inflate
verb
transitive verb
intransitive verb
Example Sentences
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2022 The smoothest way to do that is to inflate the price of real estate and the stock market. Clem Chambers, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2022 But those endorsements were a ruse by EthereumMax's creators to inflate the price of the token, the complaint states. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2022 That structure may encourage applicants to use certain language to inflate the worth of their research. Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 1 Sep. 2022 The loans began to inflate because of predatory lending practices and industry leaders’ driving up of the medallion prices. Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 31 Aug. 2022 It's highly rated on Amazon for its durability and being easy to inflate. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2022 Many older borrowers, including those who also took out smaller sums initially, have had years of accruing interest to inflate their outstanding balance to absurd levels. Julian Epp, The New Republic, 30 Aug. 2022 Blowers then inflate an air bladder to help seal the gap—this can only be done once the roof has stopped moving. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, from Latin inflatus, past participle of inflare, from in- + flare to blow — more at blow
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
inflate
verb
Medical Definition
inflate
verb
transitive verb
intransitive verb
inflate
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- increase
- raise
- distend
- raise
- dilate
- aggrandize
- augment
- expand
- lift
- amplify
- accelerate
- aerate
- swell
- multiply
- escalate
- up
- enlarge
- stoke
- up
- skyrocket
- extend
- boost
- lengthen
- hype
- blow up
- jump
- prolong
- heighten
- spike
- elongate
- boom
- supersize
- compound
- enhance
- intensify
- magnify
- pump up
- hike
- stretch
- reinforce
- build up
- protract
- draw out
- maximize
- add (to)
- complement
- supplement
- develop
- accumulate
- strengthen
- amass
- jack (up)
- rachet (up)
- collect
- ratchet (up)
- reenforce
- bump (up)
- parlay
- flesh (out)
- follow up
- beef (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compress
- reduce
- constrict
- diminish
- decrease
- condense
- lessen
- downsize
- lower
- contract
- curtail
- shorten
- abate
- subtract (from)
- abridge
- minify
- abbreviate
- dwindle
- retrench
- de-escalate
- cut back
Synonyms & Similar Words
- accelerate
- expand
- balloon
- rise
- swell
- increase
- distend
- jump
- accumulate
- mount
- bulk
- climb
- proliferate
- escalate
- multiply
- boom
- enlarge
- spread
- intensify
- skyrocket
- roll up
- surge
- heighten
- snowball
- blow up
- bourgeon
- mushroom
- appreciate
- burgeon
- puff (up)
- rocket
- gain
- wax
- build up
- peak
- redouble
- crescendo
- crest
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decrease
- diminish
- lessen
- recede
- shrink
- compress
- contract
- wane
- constrict
- dwindle
- contract
- condense
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of inflate are amplify, dilate, distend, expand, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.
While in some cases nearly identical to inflate, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.
The meanings of dilate and inflate largely overlap; however, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.
Although the words distend and inflate have much in common, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.
The synonyms expand and inflate are sometimes interchangeable, but expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).
The words swell and inflate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.