Library / English Dictionary

DEFLATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Become deflated or flaccid, as by losing air

Example:

The balloons deflated

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "deflate" is one way to...):

decrease; diminish; fall; lessen (decrease in size, extent, or range)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Antonym:

inflate (fill with gas or air)

Derivation:

deflation (the act of letting the air out of something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Reduce or cut back the amount or availability of, creating a decline in value or prices

Example:

deflate the currency

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "deflate" is one way to...):

bring down; cut; cut back; cut down; reduce; trim; trim back; trim down (cut down on; make a reduction in)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody

Antonym:

inflate (increase the amount or availability of, creating a rise in value)

Derivation:

deflation (a contraction of economic activity resulting in a decline of prices)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Produce deflation in

Example:

The new measures deflated the economy

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "deflate" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Antonym:

inflate (cause prices to rise by increasing the available currency or credit)

Derivation:

deflation (a contraction of economic activity resulting in a decline of prices)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Reduce or lessen the size or importance of

Example:

The bad review of his work deflated his self-confidence

Synonyms:

deflate; puncture

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "deflate" is one way to...):

deprecate; depreciate; vilipend (belittle)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

deflator (a statistical factor designed to remove the effect of inflation; inflation adjusted variables are in constant dollars)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Release contained air or gas from

Example:

deflate the air mattress

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "deflate" is one way to...):

release; turn (let (something) fall or spill from a container)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

deflation (the act of letting the air out of something)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Collapse by releasing contained air or gas

Example:

deflate a balloon

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "deflate" is one way to...):

collapse (fold or close up)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

deflation (the act of letting the air out of something)

Credits