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

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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
Over the past three weeks the Red Sox starting pitching has been firing on all cylinders, and most days throughout this historic win streak it’s felt like the starter has had his best stuff. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026 Set along a mile of sandy beach on the Maine coast, Inn by the Sea is the stuff of beach vacation dreams. Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Verb
Over the past year, a wave of Strategy copycats have stuffed public companies with crypto in a bid to lift their share prices, but that trade has largely lost steam. Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 6 July 2026 Then stuff them with any combo of roasted veggies like onion, squash, broccoli and carrots, and rice or beans. Malaka Gharib, NPR, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuff
Noun
  • So, if things don’t go well for New York/New Jersey on Sunday afternoon for the World Cup final, don’t be surprised if DFW is circled when the World Cup inevitably returns to the United States — possibly as soon as 2038.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Amanda did say that the resurgence of Loverboy had nothing to do with Kyle and was more about how much people hate her, which just reconfirms the worst things about Amanda that people on the internet say.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Those who fly drones into restricted airspace face fines of up to $100,000 (around £74,000), confiscation of equipment and criminal charges, according to the FBI.
    Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Richards has been the Panthers’ equipment manager since the 2016-17 season.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Supply chains evolve Unlike consumer electronics, automotive components must meet strict qualification standards while remaining available over extended production cycles.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
  • Rocket Lab has completed a major qualification test for its formidable Archimedes engine, which will power the company's next-gen Neutron launch vehicle.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Each episode gives Ossoff new material and reinforces the argument Kemp and Dooley made during the runoff that Republicans needed a political newcomer without a long record.
    Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • The fire killed 168 people, most likely because of unscrupulous contractors who used shoddy materials.
    New York Times, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Noun
  • Laura felt the rival’s ghost or essence spring away from her, as surely as if repelled.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • There’s a certain je ne se quai to French girl dressing that’s hard to pin down, but Karlie Kloss’s latest look captures its essence perfectly.
    Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • Saturday is here, the weekend is spread out before us like an open field filled to the brim with possibilities.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Lugo filled the strike zone, with 57 of his 90 pitches registering as strikes.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • There will be title defenses from Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, who are the Michael Jordan and Diana Taurasi of gorging sausages.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • The turnstones gorge themselves on those eggs before continuing their journey north.
    Torben Rick, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Imagine you’re crammed inside a 40-foot-tall wooden horse with 20 other guys on a beach.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • All that and Muppets will be crammed into an 11-minute set curated by Martin on behalf of the anti-poverty group Global Citizen, which is producing this unprecedented musical interlude.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuff. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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