deflate

verb

de·​flate di-ˈflāt  ˌdē- 

deflated; deflating

transitive verb

1

: to release air or gas from

deflate a tire

2

: to reduce in size, importance, or effectiveness

deflate his ego with cutting remarks

3

: to reduce (a price level) or cause (a volume of credit) to contract

intransitive verb

: to lose firmness through or as if through the escape of contained gas

deflator noun

or less commonly deflater

di-ˈflā-tər 

ˌdē-

Choose the Right Synonym for deflate

contract, shrink, condense, compress, constrict, deflate mean to decrease in bulk or volume.

contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

Examples of deflate in a Sentence

The birthday balloons deflated after a few days.

The harsh criticism left him utterly deflated.

an insult that would deflate their egos

He has worked to deflate popular myths about investing.

Deflated prices mean that farmers are getting less for their products.

Recent Examples on the Web

When the top actuator was deflated and the bottom one was inflated, the structure snapped in the opposite direction, bringing the wings back up again. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 10 Dec. 2024

Any situation where the left-handed slugger doesn't remain in pinstripes will likely deflate the fan base. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

The Apprentice reveals the frail humanity behind the curtain, deflates the power of the giant faces, and urges us to finally, collectively, turn the page to the last chapter of this strange story. —Dan Bekerman, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024

It's implanted into the body's largest blood vessel (aorta), and inflates and deflates with each heartbeat. —Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

de- + -flate (as in inflate)

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

deflate

verb

de·​flate di-ˈflāt  ˈdē- 

deflated; deflating

1

: to release air or gas from

2

: to cause to move from a higher to a lower level : reduce from a state of inflation

deflate the national economy

3

: to become deflated : collapse

deflator

-ˈflāt-ər

noun