as in lovers
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
he's such a film buff that he owns over 3,000 movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rubs
to make smooth by friction
she learned to buff semiprecious stones in order to make her own jewelry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polishes
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buffs
Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 6 Nov. 2025
History buffs should head to Saratoga National Historic Park, which was the site of two pivotal Revolutionary War battles.
—Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Of course, history buffs get their fix, too.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Even body horror buffs will shiver at the scenes of mutilation and murder in the woods.
—Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Hesse is infectiously charismatic, and seeing 15 minutes of his film footage digitized for the first time is a treat for history buffs.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
These rare prints often feature extra-rich colors and sounds, and can have a graininess that true movie buffs love.
—Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Goodreads and Letterboxd for bookworms and movie buffs.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
Military-history buffs who want a World War II–era Willys MB might pay $25,000 for one in good condition, and more than $40,000 for a pristine, parade-ready example.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
Literary types can descend into the 8,000-year-old lava cave in Iceland’s Snæfellsjökull glacier that inspired Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Center of the Earth, while history buffs will marvel at the interactive recreation of the construction of the Titanic at the Belfast shipyard.
—Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 6 Nov. 2025
History buffs should head to Saratoga National Historic Park, which was the site of two pivotal Revolutionary War battles.
—Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Of course, history buffs get their fix, too.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Even body horror buffs will shiver at the scenes of mutilation and murder in the woods.
—Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Hesse is infectiously charismatic, and seeing 15 minutes of his film footage digitized for the first time is a treat for history buffs.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
These rare prints often feature extra-rich colors and sounds, and can have a graininess that true movie buffs love.
—Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Goodreads and Letterboxd for bookworms and movie buffs.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
Military-history buffs who want a World War II–era Willys MB might pay $25,000 for one in good condition, and more than $40,000 for a pristine, parade-ready example.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Public tours of the White House have been a longstanding American tradition, offering families, students, and history buffs a rare chance to see inside one of the nation's most significant historic buildings.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffs
Noun
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Best Playful Design Pup lovers will swoon over this white ceramic dachshund menorah by Jonathan Adler, which is finished with a soft satin matte glaze.—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Frosted Fraser Fir Artificial Lit Christmas Tree Flocked trees are a major trend and a must-have for some decor lovers, and this one is thoroughly frosted.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The video shows the pup lounging around in various positions in a home setting, from asleep on the floor and over a blanket to playing with a dog toy and lying on the floor with her legs in the air as a hand rubs her belly.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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For a deeper dive into DeRose-Broeckert’s findings about how deer perceive scrapes and rubs, head over to NDA.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The single-button power control is a favorite feature of our reviewer Williams, as well as the fluffy optic cleaner head that cleans and polishes her hard floors.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
25 Sep. 2025
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Next, the gel polishes themselves had to work with the specific wavelengths of the Olive & June lamp.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Mavs are one of the worst teams in the NBA, with a roster that fans not only don’t know, but don’t care to know.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Now, Nintendo decided to shadow drop a massive announcement, leading the fans to flock to the internet over the news.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The details of the cases were not proactively made public beyond being made available for review for anyone who files a request under the state's public records law.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Musk withdraws the California suit in June, then files a federal suit in August.—
Nikita Ostrovsky,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These pants are available in a petite-friendly 29-inch inseam and feature a wide contour waistband that smooths you out.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The Libra moon meeting Venus smooths everything over.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Remove any canes that are crossing or rubbing against each other, as well as any suckers that have formed.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The same applies to suckers that a young tree may develop; they can be removed at any time.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Stearic acid in the formula also coats hair in a light protective veil to prevent your color from fading.—
Mary Honkus,
Glamour,
29 Oct. 2025
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Continue until the solution makes a paste and coats the entire surface of the tub.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffs. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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