deflate

verb

Definition of deflatenext
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word deflate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of deflate are compress, condense, constrict, contract, and shrink. While all these words mean "to decrease in bulk or volume," deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

When might compress be a better fit than deflate?

The words compress and deflate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

When is it sensible to use condense instead of deflate?

While in some cases nearly identical to deflate, condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

In what contexts can constrict take the place of deflate?

In some situations, the words constrict and deflate are roughly equivalent. However, constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

When is contract a more appropriate choice than deflate?

The meanings of contract and deflate largely overlap; however, contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

When would shrink be a good substitute for deflate?

The words shrink and deflate can be used in similar contexts, but shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

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 But tariffs on China going to 125% threatens to deflate those gains. —Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025 Nikola Jokić had a deflating seven giveaways in the Nuggets’ Game 2 loss, but he’s tallied just six total in his last three games. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 May 2025 The deflating loss dropped Miami to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025 Louise looks small and deflated when Dom picks her up outside the police station the next day. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deflate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflate
  1. collapse
  2. empty
  3. reduce
  4. undermine
  5. compress
  6. drain
  7. decline
  8. weaken
Verb
  • The security perimeter collapses, and the risk increases exponentially.
    — Craig Davies, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Video shows the man collapse to the ground, deputies said.
    — Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 26 May 2025
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • With 9:36 remaining in Game 7, Denver pulled its primary rotation players and emptied the bench.
    — Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • The Springfield sophomore emptied the tank in a dead sprint to win the race going away with a time of 4:39.40, a full 11 seconds ahead of the next closest runner.
    — Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 17 May 2025
Definition of empty
Verb
  • Their original sentences, which were 12 years and seven years, respectively, were reduced in September 2023.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • With Bayern aiming to reduce their wage bill, the Wirtz signing would have come at the cost of at least an extra €20million (£16.8m, $22.7m) per year, on top of a transfer fee somewhere between €100m and €150m.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Trump has pursued policies that have repeatedly undermined the agenda of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—and show that divisions between the United States and Israel are widening.
    — Daniel Byman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
  • Things could have been better still had Leclerc’s race not been undermined by the timing of the two safety cars.
    — Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of undermine
Verb
  • Eventually, they were so thoroughly compressed that nuclear fusion got going—and boom, the very first stars lit up the universe.
    — Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025
  • Costello neatly compressed the clichés of political pop.
    — Armond White, National Review, 28 May 2025
Definition of compress
Verb
  • Treating this condition involves surgery to implant a shunt to drain excess fluid from the inside of the skull, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
  • Preventative measures There are ways to avoid such a financially and emotionally draining situation.
    — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
Definition of drain
Verb
  • Citigroup, Bank of America and Wells Fargo declined to comment on the WSJ report.
    — John Bacon, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • Yields have risen and the dollar has declined moderately.
    — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of decline
Verb
  • In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.
    — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • This includes adults who have weakened immune systems, cancer or other underlying health conditions, and some mental health conditions.
    — Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
Definition of weaken

Browse Nearby Words

deflagrating
deflate
deflated
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Cite this Entry

“Deflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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