1
as in mediators
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
2
as in pads
something that serves as a protective barrier
the excelsior acts as an additional buffer for the marble bust during shipping
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in softens
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
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Recent Examples of buffers
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Of course, buffers play an important role.
—Felysha Walker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
Wetlands like Doñana act as natural buffers against climate extremes, storing water during wet periods and releasing it slowly during dry ones.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
This is because perspective-taking buffers escalation.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
While the top 20% spends paper gains, the bottom 80% is currently financing groceries with shadow debt, having fully depleted their pandemic-era savings buffers.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
The outside world is changing, and Cuba is entering it with weak institutions and few buffers.
—Ricardo Torres, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Superpowers in a bipolar structure compete obsessively, creating spheres and buffers by cultivating protégés and installing puppets.
—Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025
Schwartz / Bloomberg / Getty Images Wetlands act as buffers against flooding by absorbing and storing water during extreme rainfall and other high-runoff events.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Fiscal buffers Fiscal stimulus and subsidies could cushion some of the inflationary impact and relatively benign price pressures heading into 2026, providing a relatively comfortable starting point.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Of course, buffers play an important role.
—Felysha Walker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
Wetlands like Doñana act as natural buffers against climate extremes, storing water during wet periods and releasing it slowly during dry ones.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
This is because perspective-taking buffers escalation.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
While the top 20% spends paper gains, the bottom 80% is currently financing groceries with shadow debt, having fully depleted their pandemic-era savings buffers.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
The outside world is changing, and Cuba is entering it with weak institutions and few buffers.
—Ricardo Torres, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Superpowers in a bipolar structure compete obsessively, creating spheres and buffers by cultivating protégés and installing puppets.
—Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025
Schwartz / Bloomberg / Getty Images Wetlands act as buffers against flooding by absorbing and storing water during extreme rainfall and other high-runoff events.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
Verb
This helps create a barrier of warmer air that buffers the foliage against the cold.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffers
Noun
-
Federal and state mediators have been involved.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
NewYork-Presbyterian nurses at that point rejected a similar proposal advanced by mediators.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While traditional facelifts merely tighten the skin in a superficial manner, deep-plane procedures can now reorganize the underlying structure of the face, repositioning muscles, fat pads, and ligaments in a labile system of roving features.—
Patrick R. Crowley,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Use these pads after cleansing and before moisturizing to unleash that just-got-a-facial glow.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bullnose's curved profile softens hard, linear edges often found in brickwork and concrete.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The serum in the mascara-like application gently softens and styles fly-aways in a pinch.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This time around in talks with studios, union negotiators will be facing a new but familiar opponent on the other side of the table after longtime studio negotiator Carol Lombardini stepped down.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
These babies were shields to protect a narcotics operation.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Privacy a priority Especially popular among mobile professionals, stick-on privacy shields for smartphones, tablets and laptops can prevent someone beside you (or behind you on an airplane) from seeing your display.—
Marc Saltzman,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its dense, ointment-like texture melts on contact, forming a protective seal that cushions fragile skin while locking in moisture.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
-
It’s made with a flexible and plush EVA midsole that cushions every step and absorbs shock keeping foot pain away.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Whistler is known worldwide in the LGBTQ+ community for its annual Whistler Pride festival, and while the resort attracts experts and intermediates, there are enough beginner runs and après options to fill a week-long stay.—
Jonny Bierman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In between those two extremes, swooping, panoramic groomers and fun off-piste options speak to cruisy carvers and aspiring intermediates.—
Drew Zieff,
Outside,
21 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Some obvious changes in parenting guidelines over the years include no longer allowing kids to ride a bike without a helmet or travel in a car without a car seat—most parents have also banned crib bumpers and blankets from their infants cribs, too.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Drivers are sending last-minute emails, riding each other’s bumpers, going too fast or too slow, slamming on their brakes, not letting each other merge.—
Rose Evans
Updated March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buffers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffers. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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