inflated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "inflated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of increasing in size, number or value, or to describe something that is larger than it originally was. Example sentence: House prices have been inflated in the past year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This time, many bidders, even ones with cash in the bank, are offering to buy target companies' inflated stock with their own inflated stock.

The Economist

They are not adjusted for inflation and they include purchases of existing assets, such as land, that are inflated by the rising value of land and property.

The Economist

Amid the tit-for-tat statements and inflated rhetoric Albania's chances of qualifying for Euro 2016 have taken a hit.

The Guardian - Sport

Turkey, however, disputes the use of the word "genocide" to describe the killings and says the death toll has been inflated.

The Guardian

Broccoli, however, refused to trim the number of carriages to be used in a train chase, and insisted certain scenes be shot in Rome rather than London, despite inflated costs.

The Guardian - Film

There are dangers for Farage, though, in overconfidence and inflated expectations.

The Guardian

Even the recent population census is disputed: the opposition says the authorities inflated results in pro-government areas, in order to prepare to justify a forthcoming increase in pro-government voters there.

The Guardian

But as Omar Chaudhuri, the head of football intelligence at 21st Club points out, Sterling's numbers have not been inflated by unsustainable hot streaks, which therefore makes what we have seen so far a decent indicator of what will happen from now on.

The Guardian - Sport

A collection of prominent statisticians have also said that EPF has artificially inflated the deficit by assuming a buoyant economy when predicting future salaries, but assuming a recession when predicting investment returns.

The Guardian

It was like a balloon was inflated and suddenly Serena stuck a pin in it.

The Guardian - Sport

Narcissists can have violent mood swings as they are alternately inflated and deflated, puffed up by hubris, or crushed by a collision with reality that cracks open a cauldron of shame.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inflated" to describe not only physical objects, but also abstract concepts like egos or expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "inflated" solely for positive connotations. While it can describe a literal expansion, it often implies an artificial or unwarranted increase, frequently with negative implications. Choose a more neutral term if no such implication is intended.

Linguistic Context

The word "inflated" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of being filled with air or another substance, being larger than normal, or being exaggerated or artificially increased. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of "inflated" in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

27%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inflated" is a versatile adjective that describes something enlarged beyond its normal size, value, or importance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. While commonly found in contexts such as News & Media and Formal & Business, it's crucial to use it accurately to convey artificial or unwarranted increases, avoiding misapplication in purely positive scenarios. Remember to be specific about what you are describing as "inflated" to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bloated

Implies an unnatural or excessive swelling, often negative.

exaggerated

Indicates that something is represented as being larger or more important than it actually is.

overstated

Similar to exaggerated, but often used in a more formal context.

overblown

Suggests something has been made more dramatic or significant than it warrants.

puffed up

Describes something that appears larger or more important, often deceptively.

swollen

Refers to an abnormal enlargement, often due to fluid accumulation or other physical cause.

unrealistic

Suggests that something is not grounded in reality or likely to happen.

excessive

Indicates an amount or degree that is more than necessary, normal, or desirable.

artificially increased

Highlights that the increase is not natural or organic, but rather the result of manipulation.

overestimated

Indicates a misjudgment where the value or quantity is thought to be higher than it actually is.

FAQs

How can I use "inflated" in a sentence?

You can use "inflated" to describe something filled with air or fluid, like "The "inflated balloons"". It can also describe something exaggerated, like "inflated prices", or a person's ego.

What can I say instead of "inflated"?

You can use alternatives like "bloated", "exaggerated", or "overstated" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "inflated" to describe someone's ego?

Using "inflated" to describe someone's ego suggests they have an excessively high opinion of themselves. For example, "His "inflated ego" made him difficult to work with".

What's the difference between "inflated" and "bloated"?

"Inflated" suggests an artificial increase in size or value, while "bloated" often implies an unhealthy or excessive swelling. For example, you might say "inflated prices" but "a bloated bureaucracy".