deflate

verb

de·​flate di-ˈflāt How to pronounce deflate (audio) ˌdē- How to pronounce deflate (audio)
deflated; deflating
Synonyms of deflatenext

transitive verb

1
: to release air or gas from
deflate a tire
2
: to reduce in size, importance, or effectiveness
deflate his ego with cutting remarks
3
: to reduce (a price level) or cause (a volume of credit) to contract

intransitive verb

: to lose firmness through or as if through the escape of contained gas
deflator noun
or less commonly deflater
di-ˈflā-tər How to pronounce deflate (audio)
ˌdē-
Choose the Right Synonym for deflate

contract, shrink, condense, compress, constrict, deflate mean to decrease in bulk or volume.

contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

Examples of deflate in a Sentence

The birthday balloons deflated after a few days. The harsh criticism left him utterly deflated. an insult that would deflate their egos He has worked to deflate popular myths about investing. Deflated prices mean that farmers are getting less for their products.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But ice, in addition to flattening the soda, will invite you to take longer, let it get diluted, and deflate the texture. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026 Initially, the state lawmaker was considered just the latest of several Democratic candidates over the past years who gave the party a hope of flipping Texas, only for that hope to deflate come Election Day. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Will tonight cement the Bass-Raman trilogy as an electoral classic — or end it on a deflating note? — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Overextended lenders and borrowers took years to dig their way out of trouble, and the crash left behind nothing of value—no new inventions, no new industries, just deflated home prices. — Ruchir Sharma, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deflate

Word History

Etymology

de- + -flate (as in inflate)

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deflate was in 1891

Rhymes for deflate

See All Rhymes for deflate

Browse Nearby Words

deflagration
deflate
deflation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deflate

verb
de·​flate di-ˈflāt How to pronounce deflate (audio) ˈdē- How to pronounce deflate (audio)
deflated; deflating
1
: to release air or gas from
2
: to cause to move from a higher to a lower level : reduce from a state of inflation
deflate the national economy
3
: to become deflated : collapse
deflator
-ˈflāt-ər
noun

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