INFLATES Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

inflates

verb

present tense third-person singular of inflate

as in increases

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.

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as in accelerates

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number Airbags are designed to inflate automatically on impact.

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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 inflates But opting to keep school open during heavy snow means a greater chance of parents keeping their kids home, which inflates chronic absenteeism rates. — Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2026 Sure, training camp always inflates the reputations of a receiver who can win a 50-50 ball against second-string cornerbacks. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026 This is commonly done with a blood pressure cuff that inflates around your arm to block blood flow. — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026 Adverse birth outcomes are among the most common claims against physicians in medical-malpractice lawsuits, and awarded judgments can be very high, which inflates the liability-insurance premiums that doctors must pay. — Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 The Portal Outdoors Nomis One finds its way to that category with a split-body design that carries in the trunk then inflates and hoists onto the roof or pickup truck bed in about 10 minutes. — New Atlas, 27 July 2026 This disparity incentivizes hospital consolidation, inflates costs for taxpayers and beneficiaries, and distorts care delivery. — Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 It’s made of strong, tear-resistant nylon and inflates manually using about nine breaths. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026 The legislation further inflates ICE’s usual $10 billion annual budget. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 10 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflates

Verb

But if that decision introduces longer transportation times, reduces product shelf life or increases waste, the gain in one KPI may negatively affect KPIs for shipping, customer satisfaction, loss prevention, etc.

— Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
While the first dose means a child is largely protected from the infections, a second dose increases protection.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of increases

Verb

And autonomy raises the cost of error, because outputs turn into actions.

— Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
The Federal Open Market Committee typically raises rates to help tame inflation, which rose faster than paychecks over the year in July and has remained above the Fed’s 2% target for five years.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of raises

Verb

Hydropower capacity expands China has continued adding hydropower capacity as part of its broader clean-energy expansion.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Based on the legend of the Chinese goddess Chang’e, this book reimagines and expands the myth to center her daughter, Xingyin, who flees her home and embarks on a bold adventure to save her mother while training in enemy territory.

— Chloe Gong, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

Customization Is Becoming Key in the Buying Process As the personal touch becomes paramount for customers, the need for custom pieces rises with it.

— Footwear News, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Out back, a custom stainless steel exhaust pipe rises vertically right next to the sissy bar, echoing classic vintage choppers.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rises

Verb

While the hurricane is not expected to make landfall, swells created by the hurricane could affect the coast of southwest Mexico and Baja California, as well as Southern California, per the National Hurricane Center.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
While Karina was expected to stay well away from land, swells from the storm were likely to cause dangerous surf and rip current conditions along parts of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula, the hurricane center said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of swells

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“Inflates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflates. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of inflates

verb

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