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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buff
Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
For food lovers and history buffs, the capital of Georgia should always be on your mind.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
The shoes are designed for both poolside lounging and fancier occasions in mind, since they can be easily wiped dry and buffed with a leather cleansing cream for a polished look.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for buff
Noun
For the bourbon buffs who follow Buffalo Trace announcements as closely as Swifties chasing Taylor and Travis' wedding updates, more Easter eggs are waiting to be discovered.
—Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
For food lovers and history buffs, the capital of Georgia should always be on your mind.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
Verb
To remove them, use an eraser sponge, such as a Magic Eraser, to gently buff them out.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
The shoes are designed for both poolside lounging and fancier occasions in mind, since they can be easily wiped dry and buffed with a leather cleansing cream for a polished look.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for buff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buff
Noun
-
Itineraries guide food-lovers to Breyðvirkið, the Faroe Islands’ sole artisanal sourdough bakery, renowned for its exceptional coffee and its ‘BMO’ (bolle med ost), a classic Scandinavian breakfast of a fresh sourdough bun with butter and cheese.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
These thin sheets of lead containing scratches of supernatural desires were used to sway a court case, target a rival, or even a lover, as per Archaeology News.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Regulators Europe opened investigations into Musk’s Grok over antisemitic content and sexualized material, include deepfake nudes.—
Bernard Condon,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
-
Plus, this playful shade surprisingly pairs well with just about any other color, from classic nudes to neon yellows and lime green.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
But the quiet-part-out-loud here is that the Duffer Brothers ditching Netflix for a four-year deal at Paramount seems to have rubbed high-ranking Netflix executives the wrong way, the first source told THR.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
-
According to police, Foulke, Acrey and Millevoix encountered a man and woman waiting for a ride-share outside when one of the three rubbed their knuckles across a man's head.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Shoes must be polished, their brass must shine, and their uniforms must be clear of any stains or wrinkles.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
The fabric is light, but the silhouette is polished—offering the kind of versatility a summer capsule wardrobe should be built on.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Good choices include live sunfish, suckers, bullheads, carp, goldfish, and chubs.—
Keith Sutton,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
-
Southerners are suckers for cities on the water, and the charming community of Stuart, Florida, is abundantly blessed on that front.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Sometimes, being sexy has nothing to do with nudity.—
Megan Vick,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Other optional controls include the ability to blur nudity and gore in Photos, Messages, and FaceTime.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
And suddenly the instinct is to sand down the edges, soften the messaging, and appeal to everyone.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The suit also includes smoothing cups and ruching that prevents lines from showing through.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
Parents and beauty enthusiasts alike praise its ability to smooth stubborn bumps and improve skin texture.—
Cheryl Fenton,
Parents,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buff. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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