puff

puff

verb

Definition of PUFF

1

to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty <he came running up the stairs puffing and wheezing>

Synonyms blow, heave, hyperventilate, pant, puff, wheeze

Related Words choke, gag, gulp, huff; asphyxiate, smother, stifle, strangle; snore, snuffle; exhale, expire

2

to praise too much <a talk show host who can be counted on to puff up the celebrities who readily consent to be interviewed>

Synonyms adulate, belaud, blarney, butter up, hero-worship, honey, massage, overpraise, puff, soft-soap, stroke

Related Words blandish, cajole, coax, sweet-talk, wheedle; fawn, kowtow, suck (up to), toady; idolize, worship; eulogize, extol (also extoll), laud, praise; applaud, commend, compliment; congratulate, felicitate; drool, gush, slaver, slobber; endear, ingratiate; court, romance, woo

Near Antonyms bad-mouth, belittle, decry, depreciate, disparage, put down