1
as in close
lacking fresh air
the house was very stuffy after being closed up for a month
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
nothing stuffy about this science museum—it's all interactive and fun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
those nursing home residents with a reputation for being chronically stuffy were usually the last to receive attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stuffy
When the sheets stick and the room feels stuffy, wearing the right type of sleepwear matters even more.
—
Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
While some inns might feel stuffy, this one strikes a more approachable balance, with thoughtful touches like free parking, complimentary popcorn in the rooms, and welcome drinks.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
What experts say about asthma and long-term exposure For people with asthma, COPD or chronic allergies, the risk goes beyond a stuffy nose.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Heat and humidity in a stuffy garage can permanently ruin these items.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
While some inns might feel stuffy, this one strikes a more approachable balance, with thoughtful touches like free parking, complimentary popcorn in the rooms, and welcome drinks.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
What experts say about asthma and long-term exposure For people with asthma, COPD or chronic allergies, the risk goes beyond a stuffy nose.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Heat and humidity in a stuffy garage can permanently ruin these items.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuffy
Adjective
-
With the wrap in front of you, fold up the edge closest to you.—
Gretchen McKay,
Boston Herald,
24 June 2026
-
Because wells in the region are large and close to one another, restarting production will require significant coordination across companies and countries to ensure consistent pressure across multiple wells.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Adjective
-
Sometimes safe and boring can be a winning strategy.—
Nina Bambysheva,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
The cause can be something as simple as a lack of water or more complex, like fungal wilt diseases, tomato wilt viruses, walnut toxicity, or boring insects.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
They can be withdrawn or irritable.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
While Hockney worked, Auden, as the artist recalled, played the part of the impatient, irritable grump.—
Mark Rozzo,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
For all the deserved talk about the Knicks’ dynamic offense, the defense has been far more stifling than their reputation suggests.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Her mother, who had a staid upbringing in California, came to New York in the early sixties looking for someplace more diverse and less stifling.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This method is particularly useful for larger homes, hallways, and staircases where kneeling repeatedly would quickly become cumbersome or tiring.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
-
The longtime Florida coach swapped a tiring McDonald for Russell Sandefer with one out in the top of the sixth inning.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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The ingredients were fresh and the balance of tangy citrus notes and fiery spices made for an unforgettable meal.—
Deeya Sonalkar,
TheWeek,
18 June 2026
-
Mamdani spoke for roughly eight minutes in a fiery speech about the history of the team, the grind to the championship, the heartbreaking seasons and the perseverance necessary to finally bring a title to New York after 53 years.—
Ryan Morik OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Valkyries won their third straight game, defeating the Sparks 78-58 behind a suffocating defensive performance.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
-
The Fleet played a suffocating style of hockey, with a strong forecheck and the ability to wear down opponents with relentless offensive-zone pressure.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Looking for a heritage bolt of fabric without having to comb through the dusty shelves of an antiques store?—
Alyssa Longobucco,
Architectural Digest,
19 June 2026
-
On the dusty backroads of Radiator Springs, where Lightning McQueen and his pals live, a shower of meteors threatened to bring destruction upon the quarter-size cars in a scene that disaster movie king Roland Emmerich would endorse.—
Sandra Gonzalez,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stuffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuffy. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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