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

Earlier this year, tariff refunds provided a temporary cost buffer for Home Depot, but company executives noted that these gains are expected to be offset by unplanned spikes in fuel, energy, and other input costs. — CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026 Forests, wetlands and mangroves store carbon at scale, buffer storm surge, and stabilize the soils and waters that economies depend on. — Marcene Mitchell, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Verb

Legacy volume drops are heavily buffered by baseline take-or-pay cash guarantees. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026 Today, its mangroves buffer Odisha’s vulnerable coastline against frequent cyclones and provide breeding grounds for fish, prawns, and crabs that sustain thousands of fisher families. — Kalpana Sunder, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buffer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffer

Noun

Friday’s impasse approval will bring in a third-party mediator to oversee negotiations between the two parties, who each blame the other for failing to bargain productively.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Pakistan sought to establish itself as a mediator earlier this year, working with other countries in the region to end the conflict.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of mediator

Verb

Growth in the world’s second-largest economy softened to its slowest in more than three years in the second quarter, as a multiyear property downturn continued to depress consumer demand and investment in real estate and infrastructure.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
In a microwave-safe medium bowl, microwave the cream cheese for 5 to 10 seconds, just until it’s softened.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of soften

Noun

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who served as chief negotiator in earlier talks with the United States, provided a rare public acknowledgment of the internal divide.

— Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Kristin, a cool, calm, and collected crisis negotiator from the purple tribe, negotiates with Kilby, a game designer from Canada on the yellow tribe.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of negotiator

Noun

What many people enjoying these beaches don't realize is that this iconic stretch of sand is also a critical line of defense—a massive engineering shield protecting our vital infrastructure.

— Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
This celestial shield keeps harmful solar wind, cosmic rays and radiation at bay, preventing the atmosphere from being stripped away.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of shield

Noun

Boeing sells products to Israel both directly and through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, under which the US government acts as an intermediary, procuring equipment from the company for sale to Israel.

— Allegra Goodwin, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
By automating tasks that once required human discretion, rulers can replace unreliable intermediaries with faithful algorithms that cannot be bribed or manipulated.

— Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of intermediary

Noun

The family said the diagnosis likely stems from his racing career — one in which drivers crushed bumpers and raced like gladiators without the safety protections found in the sport now.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
Two officers, Stefan Carutasu and Dominique Billew, responded and found Blanco standing near a parked car, repeatedly slashing at an area under the bumper.

— Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of bumper

Browse Nearby Words

buffed

buffer

buffered

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Style

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

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Synonyms of buffer

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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