1
as in collapsing
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 emptying
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 declining
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 undermining
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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Recent Examples of deflating
But Lionel Messi and his team went home dejected after another deflating stalemate, this time 1-1 against the New England Revolution.
—
Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Buffett was writing at a time when the Dot Com bubble was deflating.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Like every would-be playoff team, Portland had endured deflating losses and confidence-boosting victories.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Kaegi in many respects simply was the messenger who got removed for being in a post directly related to property taxes when many Chicago homeowners got the bad news late last year that their taxes had soared due to the pandemic’s deflating effect on commercial property values.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
The game fell well short of its touching build-up, with the Rangers dropping a deflating 2-1 result to the only other team Zibanejad has played for, the Ottawa Senators.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2026
For those who are, the effect is more like sitting on a slowly deflating whoopee cushion soaked in arterial spray.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
The ingredient, a vasoconstrictor, tightens blood vessels beneath the eyes—in turn, deflating puffiness and tightening skin’s appearance.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
As the Dodge attempted to enter the highway, officers deployed stop sticks, deflating two of the vehicle’s tires.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Buffett was writing at a time when the Dot Com bubble was deflating.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Like every would-be playoff team, Portland had endured deflating losses and confidence-boosting victories.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Kaegi in many respects simply was the messenger who got removed for being in a post directly related to property taxes when many Chicago homeowners got the bad news late last year that their taxes had soared due to the pandemic’s deflating effect on commercial property values.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
The game fell well short of its touching build-up, with the Rangers dropping a deflating 2-1 result to the only other team Zibanejad has played for, the Ottawa Senators.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2026
For those who are, the effect is more like sitting on a slowly deflating whoopee cushion soaked in arterial spray.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
The ingredient, a vasoconstrictor, tightens blood vessels beneath the eyes—in turn, deflating puffiness and tightening skin’s appearance.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
As the Dodge attempted to enter the highway, officers deployed stop sticks, deflating two of the vehicle’s tires.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflating
Verb
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As this process is the main source of energy produced by the sun, this will mean the outward pressure that stops the sun from collapsing under its own gravity also ceases.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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And what's the difference between weakening and collapsing?—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This keeps the sidewalks cleaner, saves the cost of emptying trash cans, and keeps away vermin.—
Stephen Wade,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Draconian pandemic lockdowns forced expat families to pack up and leave, emptying international schools.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reports in 2024 and 2025 indicated declining health, including low blood pressure, dizziness and heart problems, but these claims could not be independently verified.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Now these countries, like much of the world, are facing declining birth rates that threaten to upend their economies.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But caregivers say Kennedy’s comments paint with too broad a brush and risk undermining services that millions depend on.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
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That said, a few words readily available would help connect the dots without undermining the provocation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Queso dripping all over the meat and other toppings is so much more fun.—
Aly Walansky,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Always place the package on a plate or inside a container—raw meat dripping onto produce or leftovers is one of the most common sources of cross-contamination in the home kitchen.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shane Lowry has the distinction of draining one of the more memorable putts in recent golf history.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Grow crocosmia in moist, organically rich, well-draining soil in full sun to light shade.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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MacRumors thinks this could end up reducing the thickness of the iPhone’s display stack while improving brightness and minimizing power use.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Airhart ethos is focused on reducing the cognitive drain on the pilot.—
David Szondy
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Natural Ways to Get Rid of Onion Grass These invasive weeds are fast-growing and rob your grass of water, nutrients, and sunlight, weakening your garden over time, says Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
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Muscle loss and bone weakening Numerous studies have documented that rapid weight loss from Ozempic and other medications can cause significant muscle loss, especially in people who don’t increase their protein intake.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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