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

Charlie Fox, a 56-year-old San Clemente resident and marine meteorologist, said sand provides a critical buffer between whatever structures — train tracks, homes, lifeguard headquarters — are built along the coast. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 Instead, according to the grand jury report, two organizations were used as buffers to move the money out of the Hope Florida Foundation before transferring it to Keep Florida Clean. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

Know More Even so, Okonjo-Iweala noted that global commerce has shown underlying resilience, buffered in part by the AI investment boom. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026 But Orange, with its booming home sales and constant new construction, was buffered for years from shrinking student counts felt in other parts of the country. — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buffer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffer

Noun

Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has at times played a mediator role in the region.

— Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has played a mediator role at times in the region.

— Samy Magdy, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of mediator

Noun

The s and z sounds of cedar scent, soothed, breeze, petals, pads, crossed, shore, and small create a peaceful line of sound that mimics the smooth flow of a river.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Usual wireless charging pads mostly use heavy ferrite cores to direct magnetic fields.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of pad

Verb

While many Democrats have ardently defended transgender rights, particularly in California, others in the party have sided with Republicans or softened their support.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
In the late 1970s, Giorgio Armani stripped the structure out of the traditional suit, softening its shoulders and loosening its trousers.

— John Vorwald, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of soften

Noun

Therapists begin facials with face-scanning wands and other probes, to measure your lipid shield, pigmentation, hydration and elasticity, and then cater their approach to the precise needs of your skin in that moment.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
In Paris, tear gas filled the air, and trash cans, school desks and chairs were set alight as riot police with shields and batons clashed with some demonstrators.

— Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of shield

Verb

While the surge caused some companies to cut workers’ hours, Eric Hauge, Home Line’s co-executive director, said a combination of government housing funds and mutual aid programs likely helped cushion their personal finances.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Investigators believe Ramirez tightly embraced her daughter during the fall, likely cushioning the baby from the impact, ABC7 NY reported.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of cushion

Noun

Prosecutors said in court that a homeowner named Miguel Mora reached out to Taliento seeking a loan modification to reduce his mortgage payments and that Taliento instructed Mora to pay her instead as an intermediary.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
At issue are certain use cases of Section 351 exchanges, in which wealthy individuals, through an intermediary, create new ETFs with a basket of highly appreciated stocks.

— Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of intermediary

Browse Nearby Words

buffed

buffer

buffered

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Buffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffer. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of buffer

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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