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

She’s angry and deflated at the city’s aggressive move to label homelessness a crime.

From Los Angeles Times

Facing intense criticism was not new for Scotland head coach Steve Clarke when his dejected players left Germany to the sound of a Bavarian oompah band after a deflating Euros campaign in the summer.

From BBC

“If you are feeling deflated or discouraged today, I get it. Take some time. Take care of yourselves, take care of your loved ones, take care of your community,” Walz said.

From Salon

Reshuffles are always something of a nightmare for leaders as they are guaranteed deliverers of disappointment and deflated egos as well as sources of smiles and preferment.

From BBC

New Zealand dealt England a deflating start to their autumn campaign as Mark Tele'a came back off the bench to score a decisive 76th-minute try and continue the All Blacks' run of superiority.

From BBC

Related Words

• depress
• diminish
• exhaust