deflateverb
uk/dɪˈfleɪt/us/dɪˈfleɪt/deflate verb (MAKE SMALLER)
[ I or T ] If something that has air or gas inside it deflates, or is deflated, it becomes smaller because it loses the air or gas:
to deflate a balloon/tyre
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Becoming and making smaller or less
- a nip (here) and a tuck (there) idiom
- attenuate
- axe
- bite
- bite into sth
- dive
- drain
- let sth down
- let up
- lower
- make a hole in sth idiom
- miniaturization
- minimize
- shrink
- slash
- step sth down
- strip sth away
- stripped down
- subside
- tail off
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deflate verb (WEAKEN)
[ T often passive ] to cause something to become weaker:
The party's ambitions have been deflated by the two recent by-election defeats.
[ T often passive ] to make someone lose confidence or feel less important:
They were totally deflated by losing the game.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Becoming and making less strong
- abate
- adulterate
- attenuate
- attrition
- blow over
- blunt
- dial
- dim
- emasculate
- flagging
- jelly
- keep sb down
- knock/take the stuffing out of sb/sth idiom
- muffle
- neutralize
- pine
- sag
- shake
- wilt
- wither on the vine idiom
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Humiliating and degrading
deflate verb (MONEY)
[ T ] to reduce the supply of money in an economy
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Economics
- autarchy
- broad money
- Chancellor of the Exchequer
- consumer price index
- credit crunch
- depressed
- downturn
- economist
- GDP per capita
- GNI
- hyperinflation
- market forces
- mixed economy
- pecuniary
- protectionism
- retail price index
- spending
- stall
- trade figures
- upturn
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Price decreases