deflate

[ dih-fleyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·flat·ed, de·flat·ing.

1. to release the air or gas from (something inflated, as a balloon):

   They deflated the tires slightly to allow the truck to drive under the overpass.

2. to depress or reduce (a person or a person's ego, hopes, spirits, etc.); puncture; dash:

   Her rebuff thoroughly deflated me.

3. to reduce (currency, prices, etc.) from an inflated condition; to affect with deflation.

verb (used without object)

, de·flat·ed, de·flat·ing.

1. to become deflated.

deflate

/ dɪˈfleɪt /

verb

1. to collapse or cause to collapse through the release of gas
2. tr to take away the self-esteem or conceit from
3. economics to cause deflation of (an economy, the money supply, etc)

Derived Forms

• deˈflator, noun

Other Words From

• de·flator noun
• self-de·flated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflate¹

1890–95; < Latin dēflātus blown off, away (past participle of dēflāre ), equivalent to dē- de- + fl ( āre ) to blow + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflate¹

C19: from de- + ( in ) flate

Example Sentences

However, the internally-lit sculpture, based on data from NASA, was damaged by storm Ashley over the weekend, causing it to deflate.

From BBC

But in order to continue to deflate Trump and support for him, Democrats have to keep making him look weak and pathetic and show themselves to be confident leaders who never avoid the truth, never fear Trump and never pander.

From Salon

Mockery has often been a useful tool among the many needed to deflate the posture of omnipotence that actual and aspiring autocrats like to adopt.

From Salon

As President Putin has always tried to portray the conflict as a war between Russia and the West, Mr Biden has sought to put clear limits on US policy to deflate that narrative and prevent a conflagration.

From BBC

Kyrie Irving also scored 36 points for the Mavericks, who built a 29-point halftime lead on 61% shooting to deflate the once-energized crowd before most fans got up for their first snack break.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• depress
• diminish
• exhaust