deflation

noun

de·​fla·​tion di-ˈflā-shən How to pronounce deflation (audio)
ˌdē-
Synonyms of deflationnext
1
: an act or instance of deflating : the state of being deflated
2
: a contraction in the volume of available money or credit that results in a general decline in prices
3
: the erosion of soil by the wind
deflationary
di-ˈflā-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce deflation (audio)
ˌdē-
adjective

Examples of deflation in a Sentence

Economists worry that deflation will bring the country into recession.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Owing to a recession and chronic deflation in the 1990s, Japan had kept its interest rates as low as zero or negative in the hope of rejuvenating the economy since then through the 2010s. — John Liu, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 Who’s Positioned To Benefit — And Who Isn’t The winners are companies that own the token-cost floor or capture the deflation. — Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Musk went further, predicting deflation, not inflation, would become the era’s defining economic challenge. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 July 2026 The bill would also require rules governing use of tire-deflation devices to immobilize street takeover cars without causing tire blowouts. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deflation

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deflation was in 1891

Rhymes for deflation

See All Rhymes for deflation

Browse Nearby Words

deflate
deflation
deflationary
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflation. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deflation

noun
de·​fla·​tion di-ˈflā-shən How to pronounce deflation (audio)
ˈdē-
1
: an act or instance of deflating : the state of being deflated
2
: a reduction in the volume of available money or credit resulting in a decline of the general price level
deflationary
-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce deflation (audio)
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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