BUFFER Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

buffer 1 of 2

noun

ˈbə-fər

Definition of buffer

as in mediator

one who works with opposing sides in order to bring about an agreement it took a friend serving as a buffer between the feuding siblings to get them to speak to one another again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in pad

something that serves as a protective barrier the excelsior acts as an additional buffer for the marble bust during shipping

Synonyms & Similar Words

buffer

2 of 2

verb

as in to soften

to lessen the shock of during my walk an umbrella and thick coat buffered the freezing rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 buffer

Noun

However, Barry Callebaut said that while a strong El Niño has been confirmed for 2026 and 2027 and creates a downside risk on supply, a large surplus for 2025-2026 acts as a buffer, resulting in a very different situation from 2023-2024. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 26 July 2026 The developers plan to add more vegetative buffer between Irongate and neighboring developments, Combs said. — Joe Marusak july 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026

Verb

Unlike wealthy nations with the reserves and infrastructure to buffer the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, import-dependent economies are more vulnerable to immediate, cascading supply chain shocks. — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 The Dimaag module was found to be effective in buffering extreme DC-side power fluctuations and delivering LVRT response. — Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for buffer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffer

Noun

The president said that his Board of Peace agreed to the plan with the support of mediators from Egypt, Turkey and Qatar.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 31 July 2026
Attempts by mediators to secure a 10-day ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz made no apparent progress.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 27 July 2026

Definition of mediator

Noun

But even in the passing portion of camp, before the pads come on, the Chiefs lined up under center.

— Sam McDowell July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
With the pads not coming on until next week, the early practice sessions put more focus on technique and conditioning before the physicality ramps up on Monday.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026

Definition of pad

Verb

In recent months, with his cancer diagnosis now public, his attitude had softened and the prospect of him coming back to the stadium was dangling.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Let your shoes soften the look, while the rest of your accessories—like a designer bag and statement jewelry—do all the heavy lifting.

— India Roby, Glamour, 21 July 2026

Definition of soften

Noun

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance — the administration’s lead negotiator with Iran — has suggested that military force alone won’t be enough to fully dismantle Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz.

— Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
An Iranian negotiator said Tehran was suspending its commitments to the interim deal signed about a month ago and aimed at permanently ending the fighting.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026

Definition of negotiator

Noun

Operating continuously beneath complex sub-river geology of riverbed silt and sand, the shield machine operated without intermediate access shafts.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
Digital shield firewall with central computer processor and futuristic motherboard.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of shield

Verb

More crucially, the Rural Health Transformation Fund should be at least doubled to cushion the blow of Medicaid cuts.

— Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
To cushion the blow, the state utility has been forced to cover the gap with emergency imports from regional neighbors – a stop-gap measure that analysts say poses fiscal risks.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of cushion

Noun

Part of it, just mechanically, is journalistic outlets using themselves as intermediaries for their advertisers to give them access to politicians and to celebrities.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
This can be accomplished by using AI gateways, which serve as a protective intermediary.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 29 July 2026

Definition of intermediary

Browse Nearby Words

buffed

buffer

buffered

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Buffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffer. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of buffer

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on buffer

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes