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inflate

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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 This new tabulation method is similar to how views are counted on TikTok and Meta’s Reels, and will likely inflate view counts. Zach Vallese, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025 At the same time, the Department of Justice has opened an antitrust investigation into whether major egg producers artificially inflated prices during the surge. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 Milton, who had been free on bail while appealing his conviction, was accused of inflating Nikola's stock value by making misleading claims about the company's technology. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 Some think those numbers are inflated, others an undercount: Medical journal The Lancet estimated 64,000 dead. Nicholas D. Kristof, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflate
Verb
  • Insufficient protein intake accelerates sarcopenia, or muscle wasting, which in turn increases vulnerability to illness, injury, and functional decline.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Fortunately, a new moon will rise on April 27; therefore, resulting in dark skies and increasing the chance of visibility.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Business leaders obtain the necessary insights to reduce carbon and material usage, accelerate CSRD compliance, and accurately measure the financial and sustainability impact of their decisions.
    Sophia Mendelsohn, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs Wednesday affecting all U.S. trading partners and imports, plowing ahead on a risky economic strategy that promises to further accelerate a global trade war and raise anxieties about higher consumer prices at home.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, these updates raise questions about the Oscars broadcast itself.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The incident with Lauren had understandably raised questions on whether Weezer’s set would still happen.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Several hours later, the judge expanded his order to prevent the Trump administration from deporting any migrants believed to be members of Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • China’s tariffs would rise by one percentage point; the European Union’s would shift by even less.
    Ben Blatt, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The rising Murphy was coming off wins over Edson Barboza and Dan Ige in 2024.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Country’s success further ballooned into the 2020s thanks to artists like Wallen and Combs.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Fiscal hawks in both chambers are already worried that Arrington is right, and that counting the cost of Trump's 2017 taxes as $0 will result in a final bill that contributes to the ballooning federal deficit.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In November 2024, the actor and comedian told People that he was diagnosed in October after an upper respiratory infection caused swelling in his lymph nodes.
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The audio swells into an overwhelming crescendo of sound as the musician’s name and the album title flash across the screen.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Most Exciting New Advances in Managing COPD With another strategy, diaphragmatic breathing, patients concentrate on distending their abdomen while taking in air.
    Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
  • Abdominal bloating is when the stomach feels full of gas and may become distended (sticks out).
    Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Sep. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Inflate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inflate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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