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

As Marin County residents prepare for what could be increased flooding this winter, officials have developed a plan to use an existing reservoir as a buffer for the heavy rains to come. — John Ramos, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Five years earlier my brother had gotten married, leaving me home alone without the buffers of his distracted affection, his big brotherly insouciance, his rebellious indifference to the emotional chasm widening between our parents. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Verb

Air pockets trapped between overlapping leaves moderate the soil temperature and slow heat transfer, buffering against the freeze-thaw cycles that heave soil, fracture plant roots and expose beneficial soil microbes to lethal cold. — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 The footpad cannot extract energy from chemically inert surfaces such as plastic, glass, soil, or organic tissue, prompting the team to add a small onboard supercapacitor to buffer power across dead zones. — New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buffer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffer

Noun

Qatar is among the nations that have acted as mediators between the two sides for months.

— Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
In this way, the child often takes on the role of a confidant, mentor, or mediator within their household.

— Parents, Parents, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of mediator

Noun

In the aftermath, Blue Origin has moved with uncharacteristic speed to repair its launch pad to get New Glenn flying again, while investing $3 billion in Florida facilities to support a much higher launch cadence.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, meanwhile, launched three times from January 2025 to April 2026, before a massive explosion on the launch pad during a test of its first stage engines occurred in May 2026.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of pad

Verb

Unlike a traditional body lotion, the moisturizer’s lightweight, milky texture softens skin, smooths rough patches, and relieves dryness sans the greasy film.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026
The reality is that this effect was a deliberate design choice to soften the edges of the villa and smooth out its different volumes.

— Francesca Longoni, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of soften

Noun

Jose Torres, Calvo’s chief of staff, a Hialeah police officer and the city’s lead negotiator, eventually told the firefighters’ union that the administration’s proposal was its best and final offer.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Christina Hajagos-Clausen, director for the textile, garment, shoe and leather sector at IndustriALL, a negotiator for the Accord, said that the organization is pleased to see Hugo Boss back in the Pakistan agreement.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of negotiator

Noun

Each panel is different, their subtly shifting shapes recalling those of the shuttle’s heat-shield tiles.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Lily sacrificed her life on that day to protect wee Harry, just a baby at the time of her death, with a love shield.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of shield

Noun

That may be true, but there was also a more earthly intermediary in Brockhampton’s Merlyn Wood.

— Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026
Groups such as Yes Brasil in Florida and the Congresso Conservador Brasileiro in Massachusetts bring together supporters, Brazilian politicians and the immigrant community, and can act as intermediaries with American conservative circles.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of intermediary

Noun

This bumper trip with Viking visits three countries, two rivers and a host of Christmas markets across 11 days.

— Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
Ukraine is expecting another bumper harvest, with around 84 million tons of grain and oilseed forecast for 2026-27 season.

— Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 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 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of buffer

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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