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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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 On Route 2, another trooper deployed stop sticks, which managed to deflate one of the tires of the Accord and slow down the pursuit, Prescott said. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026 The Pirates’ estimated $95 million payroll is only $8 million above last season’s final number, a total deflated by trades of David Bednar, Ke’Bryan Hayes and several veterans on one-year deals. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 Officers successfully tracked the vehicle and deployed a spike strip that deflated the car's tires, police said. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026 Some sequences would have required knowledge of special effects, with balloons inflating and deflating under glass, and pieces of paper bursting into flames. —Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026 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
  • Abstract governance debates collapse when basic participation and revenue data are examined.
    — Michael Fealey, Sportico.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Or that there is a wild proliferation of parallel universes, or that a mysterious process causes quantumness to spontaneously collapse.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • The standard of care for miscarrying patients in the second trimester, for example, is to offer to empty the uterus, which can lower the risk of infection and sepsis, according to leading medical organizations.
    — Cassandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • In a downtown emptied by white flight and recession, the Orpheum was used primarily for DIY events, which is why Jim Dickinson chose the spot for a series of shows celebrating local music.
    — Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of empty
Verb
  • Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Snowmaking specialist TechnoAlpin, which is supplying this year’s Winter Olympics, said technology has advanced significantly over recent decades, reducing energy demand and water consumption.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Does this argument fit the full suite of facts, or are there inconvenient findings that undermine the argument?
    — Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Bailey asserted that retiree speech could still undermine good order and discipline, and denied that Hegseth’s actions would extend the reach of the military’s punitive powers over retirees.
    — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of undermine
Verb
  • None of these would form the loose, granular snow conditions that compress under skis on Earth and Pluto's gravity only makes things worse.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Theoretically, the plasmas collide in the fusion chamber and are compressed by magnets around the machine.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of compress
Verb
  • Drain and reserve about 1/2 cup cooking water, and drain pasta.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The Bulldogs drew up a play for Jake Heidbreder, who calmly drained an open 18-footer on the left baseline at the buzzer and was mobbed by students spilling out of the Save Mart Center stands.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • The driver and bicyclist declined to be transported to the hospital, according to officials.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The sheriff declined to answer several questions, including one from a reporter who asked if there was a ransom demanded.
    — Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz , Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • Investors don’t want to inadvertently cheer on weakening job growth that could negatively impact consumer spending and economic growth, hurting stock prices.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The National Weather Service says the ridge keeping California dry since last month is beginning to weaken.
    — Monica Garske, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
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 15 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of deflate for Spanish Speakers

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