DEFLATING Synonyms: 226 Similar and Opposite Words

deflating

verb

present participle of deflate

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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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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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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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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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 deflating The benefits of looking outside England for signings were obvious during their deflating 3-0 opening-weekend defeat to Brentford on Saturday, in which Mamadou Sangare shone. — Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Hampton would’ve done more if not for deflating injuries that limited him to 10 games. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 But instead of settling for a deflating draw, Boise flipped the switch, starting attacking again and emerged with all three points. — Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2026 Intelligence as an input cost is deflating faster than almost any commodity in the history of technology. — Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Nothing makes this part of the chase memorable or important enough to merit a flash-forward, which turns it into a deflating blunder in a series that can’t afford to slow down. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026 The note is there when Sugar gets back, placating his suspicions (for now) and deflating his ego. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026 Troopers successfully deployed stop sticks, deflating the rear driver’s side tire, state police said. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026 When algorithms see these frictions falling away, the need for a driver premium plummets, deflating the surge price. — Christopher S. Tang, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deflating

Verb

Summary Volkswagen's unique governance, long prioritizing workers and unions over shareholders, is now unsustainable amid collapsing profits, especially from China, and fierce competition from Chinese EVs.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
After winning historic Latino support in 2024, Trump now faces collapsing approval as mass deportations, economic stagnation and inflammatory messaging like the bus graphic threaten GOP fortunes in the 2026 midterms.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of collapsing

Verb

Lake Powell has reached record low water levels in recent days, and along with Lake Mead to its south has been emptying amid severe drought in the West.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
That’s huge for us in terms of being professional, emptying the tank, but also recovering.

— Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of emptying

Verb

The same practices that have allowed the Kremlin to relentlessly tighten its political control are also undermining the state’s capacity to govern.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
As to alleged contempt, the siblings could argue that exploration of a sale of the team should not count as evidence of undermining the 2017 court order.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of undermining

Verb

Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
The law paved the way for thousands of victims to sue their abusers but has been criticized for draining the coffers of local governments.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of draining

Verb

According to a news release, the program will track attendance and behavioral data with the primary goals being to improve school attendance and student grades while potentially reducing psychiatric hospitalizations.

— Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
That could lower capital and operating costs while reducing safety risks during production.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of reducing

Verb

Throughout this year, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been weakening the Navy’s leadership by blocking the promotion of nearly 20 admirals.

— Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Wheat futures hit their highest level in more than three years as the war in Ukraine strained supplies, further weakening the global food system.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakening

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deflates

deflating

deflation

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Style

“Deflating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deflating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deflating

verb

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