Inflate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe filling something with gas or air, often for an object that is designed to hold air, like a balloon or tire. It's also used metaphorically to describe prices or egos becoming higher or bigger.

• I need to inflate the car tires before the trip.
• The company’s success inflated the CEO's ego.

Often used to indicate something becoming larger in size, volume, or significance. Can refer to both physical objects and abstract concepts, like businesses or ideas.

• The company plans to expand its operations overseas.
• As the universe expands, galaxies move further apart.

This can describe making something expand by filling it with air, but it’s also commonly used to describe something exploding or being destroyed. Metaphorically, it can mean becoming extremely angry.

• Let's blow up some balloons for the party.
• The building blew up in the fire.
• He blew up at his coworker after a long day.

Usually describes something becoming swollen or enlarged with air or gas in a way that makes it look fluffy or rounded. Often used in more informal or negative connotations, such as describing someone becoming arrogant.

• The cat puffed up its fur when it saw the dog.
• Don't puff yourself up just because you won one game.

Used when talking about increasing something, typically in size, value, or importance. It often refers to prices, costs, or egos.

• The company decided to inflate prices due to rising demand.
• His success in the small competition only served to inflate his ego.

Used when someone is making something seem larger, more important, or more extreme than it really is. It often has a negative connotation.

• He tends to exaggerate his achievements to impress others.
• The news report exaggerated the impact of the storm.

Used when emphasizing something more strongly than is justified. It is often used in formal contexts and can have a negative connotation.

• The politician tended to overstate the benefits of the new policy.
• It’s important not to overstate the risks involved.

Used when talking about adding extra details to make something more attractive or interesting. It often implies slight exaggeration for storytelling or decoration.

• She likes to embellish her stories to make them more entertaining for her audience.
• The artist decided to embellish the painting with gold leaf.

Utilized when talking about increasing the size or volume of something by filling it with air or gas, or metaphorically when talking about increasing prices or value, often excessively and sometimes artificially.

• Inflate the balloon for the party.
• The company decided to inflate the prices of their products.

Applied when talking about giving something a lift or increase, particularly in terms of energy, morale, or economic activities, usually in a positive sense.

• The new advertising campaign helped to boost sales.
• He needs a coffee to boost his energy in the morning.

Used when referring to lifting something to a higher position or level, or increasing figures, amounts, or standards, typically in a straightforward and neutral manner.

• Please raise your hand if you have a question.
• The company decided to raise the salary of its employees.

Used when describing a situation that is intensifying or escalating, often with a negative connotation involving conflicts, costs, or problems getting worse.

• The argument started to escalate into a fight.
• Increasingly intense negotiations caused the costs to escalate.