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

Colorado and Ohio set a minimum buffer of 1,000 feet between injection wells and public water supplies. — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 The layout is pretty ideal with a long gallery hall that offers a buffer between the bedrooms. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 29 June 2026

Verb

Sets run around $10 and include 42 nails across 21 sizes, plus glue, a prep pad, a wooden cuticle stick, a dual-sided file and buffer and application instructions. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 The kit contains an LED lamp, one polish color, both base and top coats, and nail care essentials like a file and buffer to help shape nails. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for buffer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffer

Noun

During the 2012-13 NHL lockout, the two sides used FMCS, and recommendations by mediator Scot Beckenbaugh were thought to help the NHL and NHLPA find a solution.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026
Kushner has joined fellow peace envoy Steve Witkoff in Doha, Qatar, a country acting as mediator between the two sides, to hammer out a resolution.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026

Definition of mediator

Noun

The top-of-the-stack Nobu Villa—more than 10,000 square feet of rooftop garden, terrace, and showpiece entertaining space—is one of the city’s splashiest party pads, but the quiet win is how good the regular rooms feel for the rate.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Signs paws have already been burned include limping, refusing to walk, licking or chewing feet, darker or damaged pads and visible blisters or redness.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Definition of pad

Verb

With more than 2,000 excess deaths recorded over six days at the peak of the June heat, according to health authorities, France’s cultural resistance to AC has started to soften.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
The ingredient list includes avocado, which is rich in fats and helps boost flexibility—thereby helping to prevent breakage—as well as sweet almond oil and shea butter for moisturizing and softening.

— Eden Stuart, Glamour, 7 July 2026

Definition of soften

Noun

Proving himself capable Meanwhile, Rodríguez Castro has shown himself a negotiator.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf — Iran’s top negotiator in talks with the US — and Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, the head of Iran’s judiciary, were among those seen present.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of negotiator

Verb

The burden will be highest for low-income households with less room in their budgets to cushion such increases, Fletcher says.

— Emma Court, Fortune, 8 July 2026
That’s flanked by a PMXFoam midsole with a mock leather welt, lightweight and cushioned footbed, and a TPU outsole with flexible spikes that deliver responsive traction.

— Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of cushion

Noun

The margin previously fragmented across intermediaries flows back, in meaningful part, to the carrier that orchestrated the trip.

— Somit Goyal, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Employee equity compensation transactions and accounts managed by advisors or intermediaries through Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions® are subject to different commission schedules.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 7 July 2026

Definition of intermediary

Noun

Defense stocks have enjoyed a bumper year in 2026, as conflicts from Ukraine to Iran increase demand for munitions worldwide.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 6 July 2026
The debut Elora neatly brings together a white RV box and a white chassis, offsetting all that brightness with numerous windows enclosed by black surrounds matching the Promaster front bumper.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 July 2026

Definition of bumper

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 11 Jul. 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

xeric

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes