The phrase "were inflated" could be replaced with a variety of synonyms to express the same meaning. Some of the most common synonyms for "inflated" include "exaggerated," "overestimated," "overstated," "puffed up," and "amplified." Each of these words represents a slightly different shade of meaning, but they all convey the idea that something has been made to seem larger, more important, or more valuable than it actually is. Using these synonyms in place of "were inflated" can help to add variety and nuance to your writing, while still conveying the same basic idea.