stuff 1 of 2

Definition of stuffnext
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as in material
the basic elements from which something can be developed reading, writing, and arithmetic—the stuff of an education

Synonyms & Similar Words

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stuff

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verb

1
as in to fill
to close up so that no empty spaces remain stuffed the box with tissue paper so the contents wouldn't rattle around

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to gorge
to fill with food to capacity kids who stuff themselves with junk food after school and then don't have any room for supper

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to cram
to fit (people or things) into a tight space stuffed all the kids into the back of the car

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stuff
Noun
Why did this feel like the right time to unload some of this stuff? Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026 There’s too much stuff going on right now where people want to rewrite history. Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Beyond viral French fast food chains like Tasty Crousty and O’Tacos (which serves hot tortilla wraps stuffed with chicken kebab and fries), US fast food brands have also been aggressively planting their flags across France over the last few years. Vivian Song, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026 Breadwinner will offer smashburgers, hoagies and vegetarian sandwiches, such as one stuffed with vegetable fritters, and a mushroom French dip. Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuff
Noun
  • And once on the other side of those things, Christy Martin began living a different kind of double life.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The implication is that she got distracted and failed to notice the most important things.
    Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Workers often enter deep shafts using rudimentary equipment, while enforcement of rules is carried out through violence.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Investigators found that the fire was ignited when equipment failed on a decades-old PG&E transmission line.
    Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The organisation aims to design bespoke digital badge qualifications in conjunction with a range of private companies that will offer the 99 per cent of youngsters released from British academies alternative employment pathways.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Bondi cut off the American Bar Association’s access to judicial nominees for the first time in 72 years, depriving the Senate of an independent opinion on their qualifications.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Made from extra-durable, knife-friendly material, each board resists moisture, supports hygiene, and stands up to daily wear.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Prosecutors said Kamnik created some of the explicit material at a Montgomery County barracks.
    Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the final few years, my dad somehow kept his essence.
    Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The true essence of it for me and the program is there has to be a level of connectivity to make up for the lack of things other people may have.
    Brian Robin, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • With Estévez sidelined, the Royals turned to Lucas Erceg to fill the closer spot.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The celebrated restaurant in the Roma Norte neighborhood is most famous for its whole red snapper painted in vibrant swaths of red chile and green parsley sauces, but the menu is filled with must-try seafood (like the impeccable tuna tostadas).
    Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Raiders gorged in a different way, blowing the center market out of the water with a massive, $27 million per year contract for Baltimore’s Tyler Linderbaum and rocketing toward the top of the league in money spent.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Once in Dun, Mathilda gorges herself on strange delicacies while assembling disparate pieces of Hermia.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Juwelier Tschikof is a narrow shopfront crammed next to a boutique selling stationery, opposite a tobacconist.
    Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The stuffing, Certipur-US and Greenguard Gold-certified for safety, is cross-cut to prevent lumps and clumps, keeping the pillow smooth, airy, and puffy, despite being crammed into hiking packs and suitcases.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuff. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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