deflate
verb
[ dɪˈfleɪt ]
• let air or gas out of (a tyre, balloon, or similar object).
• "he deflated one of the tyres"
• make (someone) suddenly lose confidence or feel dispirited.
• "his response deflated me"
Similar:
subdue,
humble,
cow,
humiliate,
mortify,
chasten,
chagrin,
dispirit,
dismay,
discourage,
dishearten,
squash,
crush,
flatten,
bring down,
bring low,
take down a peg or two,
cut down to size,
knock the stuffing out of,
put down,
• bring about a general reduction of price levels in (an economy).
• "the budget deflated the economy"
Origin:
late 19th century: from de- (expressing reversal) + -flate (as in inflate ).
