stagflation
noun
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Stagflation is a portmanteau, that is, a word that blends two others (in this case, "stagnation" and "inflation"). The first documented use of the word appeared in 1965 in the writing of British politician Iain Macleod, who wrote, "We now have the worst of both worlds - not just inflation on the one side or stagnation on the other, but both of them together. We have a sort of 'stagflation' situation." Macleod is often credited with coining the term, and his linguistic invention was quickly embraced by economists in the United States, who used it to refer to the period of economic sluggishness and high inflation that affected the country in the 1970s.
Examples of stagflation in a Sentence
Lorie Konish, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Now, stagflation fears are back on the table.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
California’s defense sector could benefit from military spending, but economists warn of stagflation amid higher inflation and slower growth.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
In Japan, which relies on the Middle East for about 90% of its oil imports, the surge in crude prices combined with a weak yen raises the risk of stagflation.
—Erica Yokoyama, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stagflation
Cite this Entry
“Stagflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagflation. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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