inflate

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inflate differ from other similar words?

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.

an inflated ego

When is amplify a more appropriate choice than inflate?

While in some cases nearly identical to inflate, amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When is it sensible to use dilate instead of inflate?

The meanings of dilate and inflate largely overlap; however, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

Where would distend be a reasonable alternative to inflate?

Although the words distend and inflate have much in common, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When might expand be a better fit than inflate?

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).

a business that expands every year

When could swell be used to replace inflate?

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.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

Examples 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 inflate The window is shorter, prices are inflated, sellers know which buyers are desperate and the available players have often been warming their clubs’ benches since August. Beren Cross, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 The attorney charges a contingent fee of 40-45% of the clients’ ultimate award which creates an incentive to inflate claims. Mark Hillman, The Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2025 In the fall, dozens of school districts across multiple states, including Oceanside Unified, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against several pharmaceutical companies, PBMs and UnitedHealthcare, also accusing them of colluding to inflate insulin prices. Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2025 Adams has touted decreases in migrant spending as a further sign the worst of the crisis is behind the city — although members of the City Council and the city’s Independent Budget Office have said the administration inflated cost estimates for migrant expenses. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for inflate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflate
Verb
  • Since the attack, Weisz-Gut has felt forced to take account of the specter of increasing prejudice in Europe on a personal level.
    Allison Gordon, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Another 2021 study found that sleep deprivation increased levels of cortisol during interpersonal conflict.
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In 1990, its northern drift accelerated, increasing from 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) per year to 34.2 miles (55 kilometers) per year, Chulliat said.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Nevitt said that the invocation of the Defense Production Act, which can be used to accelerate manufacturing, is also possible.
    Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Already, at least one biotech startup, Matter Bio in New York City, has raised funds with the aim of repairing the human genome.
    Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Gwendoline’s questions about the outside raise a few important reminders about the Innies.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • While teams build local fan bases, league executives are also keen to grow individual player brands, recognizing the way other women’s sports stars—such as Caitlin Clark, Ilona Maher, Alex Morgan and Serena Williams—have expanded the fan bases for their sports.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Preserving, nature, history, and culture for future generations All told, Biden created 10 new national monuments and expanded 2 others during his term, tying him for eighth place, with William Taft, for the most monuments designated by a president.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Significantly, solar power rose 21.7% to generate more than 11% of the EU’s electricity, while a fall in coal generation led to the most polluting fossil fuel producing just 9.8% of the total.
    David Vetter, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Finding the perfect rose to become Martha’s namesake was difficult according to Hahn, who visited various fields and looked at dozens of contenders.
    Jessica Jordan, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Trail Blazers’ lead ballooned to as large as 27 points in the second half.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The immigration court backlog ballooned to more than three million cases at the end of 2024 fiscal year, according to the Congressional Research Service.
    Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • His vision blurred and his eyes swelled in the smoke.
    Eli Saslow, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Since 2020, though, those ripples have seemed more like swelling and crashing waves in the wake of the pandemic.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Most Exciting New Advances in Managing COPD With another strategy, diaphragmatic breathing, patients concentrate on distending their abdomen while taking in air.
    Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
  • Abdominal bloating is when the stomach feels full of gas and may become distended (sticks out).
    Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near inflate

Cite this Entry

“Inflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inflate

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