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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Finally, this sleeping pad also gets top marks for the adjustability, using the brand’s reliable flat-lock air valve that can be minutely adjusted for different inflation levels, and deflates in just a few seconds.
—
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
Confounding history If all of that is rather deflating, there are reasons to be heartened that, this season, things have been — and can be — different.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Because while Jones was getting double- and triple-teamed, and his sack total was deflating, the rest of the Chiefs’ defense was taking advantage of clear paths to the quarterback.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
But dopey dialogue and frat-boy humor deflate the pure thrill of its excellent gore.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflate
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
Confounding history If all of that is rather deflating, there are reasons to be heartened that, this season, things have been — and can be — different.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Because while Jones was getting double- and triple-teamed, and his sack total was deflating, the rest of the Chiefs’ defense was taking advantage of clear paths to the quarterback.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
But dopey dialogue and frat-boy humor deflate the pure thrill of its excellent gore.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflate
Verb
-
In 2021, more than 200 people died after part of a glacier collapsed in Uttarakhand, carrying a deadly mixture of ice, rock and water that tore through a mountain gorge and crashed through a dam.—
Kathleen Magramo and Esha Mitra,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
-
But three days later, the Chillicothe, Ohio, girl collapsed while using the bathroom at 4 am.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Rick is the kind of boyfriend who will empty out your checking account.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Typically, these attacks have resulted from the thieves somehow obtaining the private key and emptying the wallet before the owner even knows the key has been compromised.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The venue renovations have significantly increased hospitality and premium offerings with new pubs, clubs, restaurants and seating, while reducing the number of suites from 70 to 40.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Or has your life together reduced him to, as in your letter, a list of maddening attributes?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There are eight issues that have begun to undermine the stock market's shaky support.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Doing so would have undermined his credibility, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the majority.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In court, his lawyers argued that officers compressed his chest with their body weight, leading him to asphyxiate.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Short bursts around the black hole are likely caused by disturbances in the disk—compressing plasma to produce a temporary flash of radiation.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Fudd then drained her first 3-pointer after an 0-for-2 start, and Strong followed her up with four straight points off another pair of Marquette turnovers.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2025
-
That fall and winter, constant power outages and air-raid alerts left them drained and on edge.—
Michael Holtz,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Research from analytics firm Gallup shows that U.S. alcohol consumption is declining, with younger generations drinking significantly less than their predecessors.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Daily meme coin launches peaked shortly after the $trump coin debut but have declined sharply.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In an all-staff e-mail, Dudek wrote: Criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness are the four forces that can end any relationship and weaken any institution. . .—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Consumers are already losing confidence and pulling back on spending, weakening a key engine of the economy.—
Axios,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflate. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share