inflate

verb

Definition of inflatenext
1
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number Check that you have inflated your tires to the recommended pressure. Some sellers were inflating their prices by as much as 500 per cent.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accelerate
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number Airbags are designed to inflate automatically on impact.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Bernstein said that after surging from 2020 spurred on by government subsidies and tax breaks which inflated demand, European EV sales stalled in 2024. —Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 This was important because once the power is on and the bladders inflate, there's no adjusting or getting your hand back until the cycle is completed short of turning the device off. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 17 May 2025 However, some experts think the Mondrian’s price tag was inflated to begin with. —Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025 For example, consider a scenario where one spouse earns significantly more than the other or one spouse has no student debt – filing taxes jointly would inflate the IDR payment by including both incomes, but filing separately means only the borrower's income counts. —Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflate
  1. increase
  2. accelerate
  3. raise
  4. expand
  5. rise
  6. balloon
  7. swell
  8. distend
Verb
  • In the past 12 months alone, revenue increased 8.1% from $372 billion to $400 billion.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • These stressors seem to be taking a toll; measurements show anxiety and sleep deprivation among adolescents are rising, and even teen suicide attempts are increasing.
    — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 26 May 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Businesses ready to explore how crypto payments can accelerate growth are invited to connect directly through the Vantack platform.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Comment with strategy and purpose The next secret to accelerated growth lives in your LinkedIn commenting strategy.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • Stay hydrated: Since dry mouth raises gum disease risk, make sure to drink plenty of water.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 29 May 2025
  • But the inclusion of migrants, the vast majority of whom were not listed in CBP data as having been accused of any felonies, raises deeper questions about what kind of data belongs in a criminal database.
    — Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 29 May 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • The move also expands its compost footprint in the Southeast.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
  • Dowling’s donation comes as Northwell, New York’s largest health care provider, is actively lobbying the city government on a plan to expand its Lenox Hill Hospital complex on the Upper East Side, filings show.
    — Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • This surge reflects growing investor confidence in NuScale’s distinctive position within the nuclear energy industry, propelled by rising electricity demand amid the AI boom and the swift progression of global electrification.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Insurance premiums have risen 24% on average in recent years, according to the Consumer Federation of America.
    — Michael Copley, NPR, 23 May 2025
Definition of rise
Verb
  • Accruing interest that makes balances balloon over time.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • That stroke of fortune helped Verstappen build up a seemingly insurmountable lead which ballooned out to 18 seconds at one point.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
Definition of balloon
Verb
  • December 2012 Intense pain, swelling, and overwhelming fatigue worsen.
    — Health, Health, 20 May 2025
  • The wheat fields practically glow golden-yellow, the citizens work and mingle while wearing gorgeous and colorful clothes, and the music swells and soothes with ancient vibes.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
Definition of swell
Verb
  • Isaiah was also malnourished and dehydrated at the time of his death, with his small and large intestines markedly distended.
    — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2017
  • The pup’s abdomen was firm and distended.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of distend

Browse Nearby Words

inflammatory
inflate
inflated
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Cite this Entry

“Inflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflate. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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