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

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 inflate And food waste of all kinds leads to lost revenue for retailers and inflated consumer prices, found a 2024 Pacific Coast Collaborative report. Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025 And way back in 2021, a joint project between MIT and Shanghai Jiao Tong University demonstrated a prosthetic hand that precisely inflates individual fingers made of a soft elastomer to grasp objects and deliver tactile feedback. New Atlas, 7 Mar. 2025 The financial watchdog previously sued Binance and its billionaire founder Changpeng Zhao in 2023, accusing the exchange for mishandling customer funds and artificially inflating trading volumes, among other allegations. Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 Kennedy has also faced criticism this week for inflating the risks of measles vaccines when discussing the record outbreak in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Gabrielle Ake, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflate
Verb
  • The change was stark, as Paramount has been a leader in promoting diversity in Hollywood, championing initiatives to increase representation on-screen through programming as well as behind the scenes, through programs designed to diversify writers, directors and producers.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The researchers found that kids could reliably come up with loopholes quickly on demand by age eight, with their skill increasing between age five and seven.
    Charlotte Hu, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Stories like this demonstrate how the right blend of philanthropic and investment capital can accelerate progress by making life-changing solutions available today while also laying a foundation for long-term growth.
    Matt Damon, TIME, 22 Mar. 2025
  • This flywheel is then accelerated even further since Austin is now home to some of the world’s leading investors, like Jim Breyer, the legendary VC who has been on the boards of Dell, Etsy, Facebook, Marvel, Spotify, Wal-Mart, and 21st Century Fox.
    Amir Husain, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Children dance with pride in native regalia at the cruise port and some community members who had left are returning to open new businesses and raise families.
    Elaine Glusac, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The imminent water landing would bring to an end a lengthy spaceflight saga that thrust Williams and Wilmore into the spotlight and raised questions about the future of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Several hours later, the judge expanded his order to prevent the Trump administration from deporting any migrants believed to be members of Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Arizona runs an aggressive, attack-minded offense led by Caleb Love — a volatile but fearless scorer who might go cold for stretches, yet somehow always rises to the moment when the game’s on the line.
    Tobias Bass, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • More footage circulating online shows clouds of smoke rising into the sky, visible from the nearby Boardwalk area just outside Epcot's gates.
    EW.com, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Higgins landed a new four-year, $115 million deal, that could balloon to $30 million per season with playing incentives.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Much of that stems from an expansion of its premium to NAV, which has ballooned from 9% in December to 18% today.
    Brett Owens, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In some cases, your body may recognize the hyaluronic acid in fillers as a foreign substance that also requires an immune response, leading to swelling, nodules or other inflammatory reactions.
    Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The body responds with inflammation, causing redness, warmth, swelling, and pain in the affected area.
    Josephine Hessert, Verywell Health, 20 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Inflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflate. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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