inflate

• 指给某物充气或使其膨胀；也用于比喻义，表示夸大、虚增或使某事物超出正常范围。

A verb used to indicate the act of filling something with air or gas, or causing it to expand; also used figuratively to mean exaggerating or increasing something beyond normal limits.

1. Fill with air or gasB1formal

   To fill something with air or gas so that it becomes larger and rounder.

   充气

   • He used a pump to inflate the bicycle tire.
   • The balloons were inflated with helium for the party.
   • Make sure to inflate the life raft before using it.

   同义词blow updistendexpandpuff upswell

   反义词collapsedeflateempty

2. Increase prices or valueB2formalbusiness

   To cause prices, costs, or value to rise, often artificially.

   抬高价格

   • The company inflated the prices of its products during the shortage.
   • Speculation can inflate the value of stocks beyond their real worth.
   • The government is trying to prevent the economy from inflating too quickly.

   同义词boostescalatehikeincreasejack upmark upraise

   反义词cutdeflatelowerreduce

3. ExaggerateB2informal

   To make something seem more important or impressive than it really is.

   夸大

   • He tends to inflate his achievements when telling stories.
   • The media often inflates the significance of minor events.
   • Don't inflate the problem; it's not as serious as you think.

   同义词amplifyblow upembellishexaggeratemagnifyoverstatepadpuff up

   反义词deflatedownplayminimizeunderstate