buff 1 of 2

noun

ˈbəf How to pronounce buff (audio)
Definition of buffnext
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

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buff

2 of 2

verb

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 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 buff
Noun
As Americans commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial on July 4, history buffs have much to celebrate. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2026 The port city of Tarragona is one of the must-visit places for archaeology buffs, with ancient ruins dating from its time as the Roman colony of Tarraco. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
Lightly buff the natural nail so the surface holds glue. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 The five-part docuseries, directed by Brian Knappenberger with Tom Hanks as executive producer, offers novice history buffs an extensive look into the establishment of American democracy. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for buff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buff
  1. lover
  2. nude
  3. rub
  4. polish
  5. sucker
  6. nudity
  7. sand
  8. smooth
Noun
  • The move is contentious, with environmentalists supporting the removal, while tribes and horse lovers are heartbroken.
    — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Boating rules Sacramento’s local waterways are an valuable resource for boat-lovers in the area, but changing water conditions and strong currents require operators to stay alert.
    — Haley Parsley July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • This shade is pretty universal, but offers a truer nude for people with fairer skin and pink undertones.
    — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 27 June 2026
  • Regulators Europe opened investigations into Musk’s Grok over antisemitic content and sexualized material, include deepfake nudes.
    — Bernard Condon, Fortune, 13 June 2026
Definition of nude
Verb
  • An agitator is a post in the machine’s center that twists so the clothes can rub against each other, while impellers have a cone or disc on the bottom of the drum that spins.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
  • Thyme When their essential oils are released and rubbed onto the skin, thyme plants, including creeping thyme, can help keep mosquitoes away.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 5 July 2026
Definition of rub
Verb
  • Just as oil money transformed and modernized the Gulf into city-states of gleaming skyscrapers, centuries of wine money have polished this rural corner of Burgundy into an agri-luxury oasis.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026
  • If your project governance is weak, your report is weak, no matter how polished the narrative.
    — Joel Carboni, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • Afterward, Kenins recommends removing water sprouts and suckers.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026
  • Any Bay State citizen from Boston to Great Barrington would have been handcuffed and hauled into court yesterday for sucker-punching a fellow bar patron the way a State Police officer did over the weekend.
    — Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of sucker
Noun
  • As scrutiny on the harm inflicted on children by AI firms intensifies, advocates are hoping that firms will fine-tune models to block all nudity.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026
  • Sometimes, being sexy has nothing to do with nudity.
    — Megan Vick, Variety, 13 June 2026
Definition of nudity
Verb
  • Some cabinets require sanding, filling small nicks and dings, sanding again to smooth the patch material, and adding coats of filler just to get the cabinets ready to be taped off and to apply the primer.
    — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 6 July 2026
  • Their work included sanding the benches along the Naperville Riverwalk.
    — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • The best eye creams for wrinkles minimize the appearance of fine lines while smoothing, firming, and hydrating your eye area.
    — Daley Quinn, Glamour, 9 July 2026
  • As its name suggests, the product is formulated with skin care superstar retinol to smooth fine lines and crow’s feet and brighten dark circles.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 July 2026
Definition of smooth

Phrases Containing buff

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buds
buff
buffalo
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Cite this Entry

“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buff. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of buff for Spanish Speakers

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