1
as in lover
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
he's such a film buff that he owns over 3,000 movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nude
the state of having no clothes on one's body
protected by a fully enclosed backyard, the couple would frequently sunbathe in the buff
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
she learned to buff semiprecious stones in order to make her own jewelry
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buff
Desiree Mathurin
march 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
History buffs can come learn more about the most cherished collections on display, such as glowing minerals.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating sugar scrub helps to melt away makeup, excess oil, and buildup, all while buffing and polishing without stripping the skin.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buff
Noun
History buffs, this one’s for you.
—Desiree Mathurin
march 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
History buffs can come learn more about the most cherished collections on display, such as glowing minerals.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
Most metal hardware can be cleaned with the vinegar solution and buffed to a shine.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating sugar scrub helps to melt away makeup, excess oil, and buildup, all while buffing and polishing without stripping the skin.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buff
Noun
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Despite morale-sapping staff layoffs, bizarre executive orders and a 43-day federal government shutdown last fall, the grandeur and serenity of national parks in California remain irresistible to outdoors lovers looking to unwind.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The cleanest cruise ships have been revealed in a new study — and some of the findings may surprise cruise lovers.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Also present this weekend was Joan Semmel—a painter focused on sexuality, a surprising take on nudes, and her own aging body—a friend of my mother’s from decades of summers spent in East Hampton’s Springs neighborhood.—
Vanessa Grigoriadis,
Vanity Fair,
10 Mar. 2026
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In ancient Mesopotamia 5,000 years ago, beautiful nudes depict both ideal women and goddesses.—
Anna Swartwood House,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gently rub away any remaining margarine with a paper towel.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2026
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Start by cutting off any branches that are diseased, dead, or broken, as well as those that are crossing and rubbing against each other.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Spritz on just a little and polish with a rag or cloth to make the leaves of artificial plants shine, giving them the illusion of being real.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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In one scene, her character polishes and admires the ring, allowing viewers a closer look at the remarkable stone.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite all of my research—my monastic study of the lines, my careful hunt for small edges, my righteous avoidance of the high-risk suckers’ bets that the apps were constantly pushing on me—I had been burned by a bad call from a random referee.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Eliminate any suckers, which are shoots growing from the base of the tree.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Crawford discussed her free-spirited attitude toward nudity in a 2019 interview with Net-a-Porter while talking about appearing naked in a photography book.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
While the book contains a small number of images of nudity, they are presented with unguarded vulnerability, including depictions of distressing medical experiences.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After drying and sanding, the pieces are sealed and painted with complex patterns, geometric designs, and Zapotec symbols.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
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But finishing work — sanding and shaping — generated heavy dust.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That’s why our testers—spanning a wide range of skin types, ages, and skin concerns—have spent months determining which products actually deliver on their fine-line-smoothing and dark-circle-erasing promises.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
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Additionally, the screen uses auto-smoothing flex glass, which is resistant to deformation and better able to recover its original shape.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buff. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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