deflation

noun

de·​fla·​tion di-ˈflā-shən How to pronounce deflation (audio)
ˌdē-
Synonyms of deflationnext
1
: an act or instance of deflating : the state of being deflated
2
: a contraction in the volume of available money or credit that results in a general decline in prices
3
: the erosion of soil by the wind
deflationary adjective

Examples of deflation in a Sentence

Economists worry that deflation will bring the country into recession.
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.
Japan struggled for a long time with deflation and, in fact, welcomed the surge in global inflation in the earlier part of this decade. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026 While the idea of a weaker dollar has had supporters over the decades, economists often argue gains can be eaten up by domestic inflation and deflation. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026 An economy-wide price gauge shows China has been suffering from deflation for three straight years, the longest such streak since its transition to a market economy in the late 1970s. Jason Ma, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026 The tent breaks down and stows away even more quickly, as several its multiple valves allow for fast deflation while also helping to prevent total failure in the case of a leak in one of the air frame segments. New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deflation

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deflation was in 1891

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Cite this Entry

“Deflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflation. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

deflation

noun
de·​fla·​tion di-ˈflā-shən How to pronounce deflation (audio)
ˈdē-
1
: an act or instance of deflating : the state of being deflated
2
: a reduction in the volume of available money or credit resulting in a decline of the general price level
deflationary adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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