inflated

1 of 2

adjective

in·​flat·​ed in-ˈflā-təd 

1

: distended with air or gas

2

: expanded to an abnormal or unjustifiable volume or level

inflated prices

3

: elaborated or heightened by artificial or empty means

an inflated style of writing

4

: being hollow and enlarged or distended

inflated

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of inflate

Synonyms of inflated

Adjective

• exaggerated

Examples of inflated in a Sentence

Adjective

a writer with an inflated reputation

an inflated style of writing

She objects to the inflated salaries that many professional athletes now receive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The unions cited concerns including job security, affordable health care, and wages that meet New York City’s inflated cost of living. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

All these geopolitical variables put a partial freeze on energy dealmaking—potential sellers ask for more money on inflated valuations, while the buyers think longer term and conservatively. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Both developments create concerns among some observers that the companies are overseeing inflated volumes or, at worst, are experiencing wash trading, in which traders collude to buy and sell an asset to create a false sense of economic activity. — Davis Giangiulio,ananya Chetia, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

And yet, these inflated scores might be worth it simply to see the absolute shock and joy on the pair’s faces when those paddles go up. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for inflated

• abated
• ablated
• awaited
• belated
• berated
• castrated
• chelated
• citrated
• collated
• conflated
• created
• curated

Kids Definition

inflated

adjective

in·​flat·​ed

in-ˈflāt-əd

: hollow and stretched or swelled

inflated pods of a plant