1
as in to collapse
to become smaller in size or volume due to loss of contents
We kept her birthday decorations up until the balloons started deflating.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in to empty
to make smaller in size or volume by removing the contents
Please deflate the air mattress and fold it up before you leave.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in to reduce
to make or become lower in amount or value
The excess supply deflated prices. The company's stock has deflated.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
4
as in to undermine
to cause to lose force or effectiveness
Her cutting remark deflated his ego. The lawsuit deflated their hopes for a quick resolution.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 deflate
The capsule is then deflated again and pulled back out, where samples are collected, sealed and sent to a lab for analysis.
—
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
Our hopes for a thoughtful rumination on the messy bits of life making up the best parts of us deflates into a mess as the filmmakers continually forget their female protagonist should remain at the center of its universe.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
The Osbournes, set in the family’s L.A. home in the early aughts, deflated the patriarch’s imposing public perception, revealing a noisy life beset by his sullen teens, wife and wrangler, and everyone’s zany dogs.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 July 2025
Indiana headed into the All-Star break at 12-11 after a deflating loss to New York on Wednesday, too.
—Chloe Peterson, IndyStar, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflate
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
Our hopes for a thoughtful rumination on the messy bits of life making up the best parts of us deflates into a mess as the filmmakers continually forget their female protagonist should remain at the center of its universe.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
The Osbournes, set in the family’s L.A. home in the early aughts, deflated the patriarch’s imposing public perception, revealing a noisy life beset by his sullen teens, wife and wrangler, and everyone’s zany dogs.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 July 2025
Indiana headed into the All-Star break at 12-11 after a deflating loss to New York on Wednesday, too.
—Chloe Peterson, IndyStar, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflate
Verb
-
Brain-computer interfaces collapse the interface entirely: computation and communication merge with cognition itself.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
One of these, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, could collapse if global temperatures reach 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, raising sea levels by more than three meters, or about 10 feet.—
Matt Simon,
Wired News,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
One officer, from Pembroke Pines Police Department, who was not charged, emptied a 30-round magazine from his personal semiautomatic Bushmaster rifle, the FDLE said.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
26 Aug. 2025
-
And be sure to check back after rainstorms to empty them out again, and clear away water and debris from any rain gutters too, Dr. Mascari adds.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
SELF,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
An older test tube study found that Essiac tea could reduce harmful molecules called free radicals and protect DNA from damage.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Their antenna can dynamically adjust the frequency range by reconfiguring its shape to adapt to changing environmental conditions, reducing the need for multiple antennas, according to a forthcoming paper in The Proceedings of UIST'25.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For young people, high sugar intake undermines learning, memory and energy.—
Brian Castrucci,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Eroding health protection capacity at the top further undermines trust at a time when it is most needed.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
With dry powder and capital commitments accelerating, competition has intensified — spreads are compressing, and investors are asking: Where does the real edge come from now?—
Rocio Wu,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Multiple doctors recommended that White get surgery to remove part of the bone that was compressing her nerves.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
City worries removing Marion County residency requirement would drain taxes Since 1977, most people hired for a full-time or part-time role in city-county government have been required to move to Marion County within six months of accepting the job.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Hours-long team cohesion gatherings be draining for some members of a team, especially those who lean toward introversion.—
Rebecca Fraser-Thill,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The finding was revealed in a misconduct complaint filed in June 2025 against the still-working Hartig, who has challenged the accuracy of the report and who declined to comment personally or comment at length through a spokesman and attorney.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority declined to comment, citing pending litigation.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But Goolsbee said Trump’s immigration crackdown likely has affected population growth and the jobs numbers, but that doesn’t mean the labor market has substantially weakened.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
-
This means banana particles can remain between teeth for an extended period, giving bacteria more time to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel.14 6.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share