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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deflate
Trump’s re-election last year momentarily deflated Democrats.
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Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
Overmixing can deflate the batter and disrupt the cake's texure.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
While white elephant exchanges often allow for humor, the moment felt especially deflating given the context.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
And on Monday, less than 24 hours after the deflating loss, head coach Dave Canales offered an explanation as to why.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflate
Verb
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The activity periodically forms a dome over the main vent, which eventually collapses, causing an eruption.—
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McDearmond knew without Hannah's help, the criminal case against Brian would likely collapse.—
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The Heat then emptied its bench late in the blowout loss to the Timberwolves.—
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Your can reuse up to 10 times before emptying and refilling the socks with fresh litter.—
Verb
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During his January 2025 State of the State address, Little called for tax cuts that could reduce the state’s general fund by about $100 million.—
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To reduce sizes, builders are going back to open floor plans with fewer hallways.—
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The video evidence also appears to undermine elements of the government’s narrative of what happened.—
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Environmental and labor leaders say the pause is costing thousands of jobs and undermining energy independence.—
Verb
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The ability of the sponge to compress means that over time the rug will weigh down the edges and prevent the rug from looking like it’s raised up onto a surface.—
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Las Vegas has compressed a short stretch of the Strip into a luxury gauntlet that’ll wreck your step count and your credit limit in the same afternoon.—
Verb
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Even seasoned travelers underestimate how quickly streaming and Bluetooth drain a phone or tablet at 35,000 feet.—
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Investments in controlling invasive species have led to a 75 percent reduction in the area overtaken by melaleuca, a particularly thirsty tree species introduced in the river of grass near the turn of the 20th century to help drain it.—
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When asked about its plans, McDonald's declined to comment to Fox News Digital.—
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Due to ongoing litigation, the airline declined to comment further.—
Verb
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Evergreen branches bent under the weight of snow are already weakened; sweeping down the length of the branch toward the ground adds to the stress and increases the potential for breakage.—
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These policies impose devastating costs on American citizens, weakening our economy, increasing the national debt, straining public budgets and tearing families apart.—
Cite this Entry
“Deflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflate. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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