to deflate
20
4.6
- verb
- /dɪˈfleɪt/
:
desinflar
- It's deflating to find out the only way I can be part of it, is to take out a subscription to your magazine.
- deflate pretensions
- deflate rival claims
- deflate grades
It didn't really deflate these ideologies entirely.
- It didn't really deflate these ideologies entirely.
- Then the narcissistic person will deflate like a screaming tantruming child.
- It continues to whirl around inside of them and just turns the narcissistic person darker and more deflated.
- So I think that one, one thing we can do is deflate their power by not using their platforms so much, not buying their stuff so much.
- It's so stupid and our show was all about gravity, gravitas, and then deflate it with a little piece of stupidity and he walks off.
- I can't cook and I'm deflating already.
- Some people just deflate when you're when they're like, I work, I work.
- You probably get your ego just more your ego deflates a bit more on dating apps, I reckon.
- And when you start knowing things about the artist it it starts a bit deflating your view of the art.
- All I'm saying is they definitely deflated his balls, you feel me?
- So you actually have the power in your hands to take that mood and deflate it and crush it by kiss shaming him for asking, saying I can't believe you asked me that.
Examples
-
Her attempts to deflate his enormous ego were like flies on the back of an elephant.
Fiction book (1993) -
"Today we'll eat!" She seemed to deflate then, and realization washed over him.
Fiction book (1992) -
" But with my luck, she'd probably deflate before I figured out the operating instructions."
Fiction book (1995) -
Then why, sitting on my bed, did I feel deflated and depressed?
Fiction book (1997) -
I don't want to deflate your ego, but I do have my own reasons for wanting him caught.
-
But on this day, I was weary and deflated and just wanted to go home.
Academic text (2004) -
If the decision shrinks you or it deflates you, then the answer's no, you should not do it.
-
Someone mercifully knocked at the door, deflating the tension that was beginning to swell between the two men.
Fiction book (1991) -
Nasser's death and Egypt's subsequent defection deflated the ideological force of Nasserism.
Academic text (1999) -
His comments seemed to deflate her enthusiasm for the project, making her less motivated.
Synonyms
∞
1.6
To make something smaller in amount, size, or number
181
2.8
Become less in amount or value
94
3.7
To press something so it takes less space
89
4.7
Make a person or thing seem less important
72
5.1
To become smaller or less in number over time
59
5.3
Show something as less important or serious than it is
54
4.8
Make something seem less serious or important
48
5.9
To make someone or something seem less important compared with another
43
4.9
To make something lower in rank, value or importance
33
6.1
To make someone lose confidence or hope
32
5.9
Make something seem less good or less valuable
28
7.0
Make something seem less important or serious
22
5.0
To make something seem less important or respected
20
4.3
To make something seem less valuable, often by lowering its price or quality
16
4.3
To make something seem less important than it really is
10
8.8
To make something weaker or less effective
10
5.1
To make a list or group smaller by removing items over time
10
4.8
To make prices, levels, or activity fall
9
7.9
To make something weaker, like sound or light
8
4.1
Make something smaller, like a product or living space
7
6.9
To make something worth less by adding cheaper material
6
6.7
To make someone's pride, confidence, or reputation weaker
3
6.7
To make someone less proud by showing they are not as good as they think
2
5.9
Make an idea or topic seem less important
2
7.9
To make a threat or criticism less powerful
1
6.5
Make a person or thing seem less important and less valuable
1
9.8
Make someone or something lose energy and stop working well
1
8.4
To make something smaller so it uses less space or time
Antonyms
How Deflated
- Offensive
414
6.1
386
4.7
20
4.6
16
4.4
59
5.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
deflate = inflate (semi-transparent) = de + flate
The sense 'to make someone feel less important' is a metaphorical extension of letting air out of something (reducing prominence) and is not purely literal.
Etymology
Deflate can mean making someone or something seem less important, and it uses the same parts: de- 'remove' plus the root of inflate, so to deflate a person is to 'take the air out' of their confidence and make them feel less important.