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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of buff
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 July 2025
From October 24th to 26th, bodybuilding buffs can join roughly 40,000 participants alongside more than 400 exhibitors, with product reveals, calisthenics competitions and plenty of bodybuilding demonstrations taking place all throughout the Dubai Muscle Show.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
Then, once your jewelry is fully dry, buff it with a microfiber cloth.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
Noun
History buffs will note that the HUT levels for the Watergate hearings maxed out at 93.9%, or just a hair shy of the usage rates during the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 July 2025
From October 24th to 26th, bodybuilding buffs can join roughly 40,000 participants alongside more than 400 exhibitors, with product reveals, calisthenics competitions and plenty of bodybuilding demonstrations taking place all throughout the Dubai Muscle Show.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
Take your second unused microfiber cloth and buff the surface in the grain's direction until no streaks remain and the surface shines.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
Then, once your jewelry is fully dry, buff it with a microfiber cloth.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buff
Noun
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Why bother, when there’s a big and growing market out there for innovative ways to link up pets, pet lovers and new technology?—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Mammoth Lakes Highley has one more must-visit small town to recommend for outdoor lovers: Mammoth Lakes.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For a sophisticated look, try neutral heels such as black or nude.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
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Available shades include: warm nude, dusty rose, hot coral, rich berry, cool pink and warm burgundy. glow & PROTECT is skincare and makeup rolled into one to create a radiant, soft focus glow.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
To apply, the brand recommends rubbing a small amount in an upward motion on the neck to best combat sagging.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Just be sure not to rub it in too much—doing so can dull the scent’s staying power.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Vinegar is one of the most versatile products in the pantry with uses that range from adding pep to coleslaw and barbecue sauce to protecting houseplants and polishing silver.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Between the Trump Administration declaring private accounts a red flag for foreign students and prospective employers using AI to find fake applicants, the old rules of polishing and making your accounts private are becoming obsolete.—
Erin Spencer Sairam,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Below are some of the listening options for fans: Apple Podcasts.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Aug. 2025
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Alonso tipped his cap while running the bases to acknowledge the fans chanting his name, while Mets came out of the dugout to congratulate him on breaking a 37-year-old team record.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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His walk rate has begun to improve, and the rough edges have begun to be sanded off of his complementary defensive and baserunning skills.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Barnes’ charisma is sanded down to nothing, which only magnifies how little is going on with Tim.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Card networks and domestic wallet apps have smoothed many edges, yet many of those wallets still use the same traditional systems.—
Alvin Kan,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Therapeutic Botox – used for conditions that include muscle spasticity, migraines, overactive bladders, certain eye conditions and excessive sweating – brought in $3.3 billion for AbbVie last year, with sales of cosmetic Botox, often used to smooth facial wrinkles, generating $2.72 billion.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Be prepared for the inevitable by having these throat-soothing suckers in stock.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Muscles contract to reduce water pressure inside the sucker.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buff. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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