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
Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
But the competitive event in Grand County draws diverse filmmakers, families and film buffs with screenings and special events, including titles that highlight young people, disabled people, action-adventure seekers, and students.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
History buffs can explore the Marco Island Historical Museum and its Calusa exhibits.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
Film buffs caught their first movie back in the building in 2009, which was rechristened AMC Mainstreet Theater.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
For film buffs, 2017’s That Summer is documentary-behind-the-documentary prequel.
—Rosemary Counter, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
The texture buffs without scratching, creating a shiny, streak-free surface.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
The cast then is split up into their three tribes and received their buffs.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Here’s one auction that sports car history buffs will want to keep an eye on.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2026
Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
History buffs can come learn more about the most cherished collections on display, such as glowing minerals.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
But the competitive event in Grand County draws diverse filmmakers, families and film buffs with screenings and special events, including titles that highlight young people, disabled people, action-adventure seekers, and students.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
History buffs can explore the Marco Island Historical Museum and its Calusa exhibits.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
Film buffs caught their first movie back in the building in 2009, which was rechristened AMC Mainstreet Theater.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
For film buffs, 2017’s That Summer is documentary-behind-the-documentary prequel.
—Rosemary Counter, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
The texture buffs without scratching, creating a shiny, streak-free surface.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
The cast then is split up into their three tribes and received their buffs.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Here’s one auction that sports car history buffs will want to keep an eye on.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
Go in with the glass cuticle pusher to gently soften and push back cuticles (which can help nails look longer), plus the glass polisher, which buffs the nail surface smooth for smoother, better, longer-lasting polish application.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
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
-
For the extreme chocolate lovers in your life, this cookie is their dream.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Many animal lovers have pet dogs or cats.—
Bailey Allen,
Cape Cod Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What rubs us the wrong way is the suggestion that this proposal is purely about sustainability.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
This might happen because antler rubs strip bark away, revealing lignin-rich inner wood that reemits the longer wavelengths in a way bark does not.—
Anirban Mukhopadhyay,
Scientific American,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The process polishes the gentle bonhomie that promises to transform even the smallest silences into celebrations.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In another, Kelly’s character polishes the massive rock on a seat cushion, then lies back to admire it.—
Rachel Garrahan,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The fans, rightfully so, should always overreact.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The company estimates there are at least a million tennis fans who would pony up for its app and millions more casual fans who might watch for free or listen to a podcast.—
Lucas Shaw,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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,
6 Mar. 2026
-
When a legislator files a claim bill on behalf of the injured person, staff attorneys for the House and Senate act as a magistrate, and hold a hearing based on evidence from the trial or settlement, and beyond.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Plus, blurs pores, smooths texture, and keeps your makeup intact for 12 hours.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As connection-building Venus activates your 3rd House of Communication, your inventive approach smooths discussions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Clip away suckers or small sprouts that are growing from the base of the tree.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Hindsight, alas, is for suckers and columnists.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sawdust sprays as Matt Sams meticulously sands the edges of a balcony railing that will soon be affixed to the front of a house.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Chapman sands his board occasionally to remove this top layer of funk.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffs. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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