CHAFF Synonyms: 139 Similar and Opposite Words

chaff 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈchaf

Definition of chaff

as in debris

discarded or useless material there's a lot of chaff in this book, and the reader should be on the alert for it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chaff

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in laugh

good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks I got no end of chaff about my accent when I was in the military

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chaff

3 of 3

verb

as in to tease

to make fun of in a good-natured way chaffed her about the brightly colored shirt she had received as a gift

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as in to joke

to make jokes a coworker who likes to chaff at others' expense, and this often results in hurt feelings

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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 chaff

Noun

The grain, straw, and chaff of fonio are used as fodder for ruminant animals. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2026 In these latest cuts, some of the other firings were in sales, recruiting, and Facebook, signaling that Zuckerberg is separating the chaff in non-AI related units beyond its flailing Metaverse division. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026 Compared with the seeds of almost every other plant, grass seed is highly palatable, especially for a dexterous ape whose hands can slough off the chaff. — Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026 Dyson's line is a lot to sort through, but luckily, WIRED has spent years sorting Dyson wheat from Dyson chaff. — Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaff

Noun

Last week, a group of about 50 residents rallied a block away from the warehouse and demanded the company clean up the debris from the fire and then pack up and leave.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Still others tend the fleet already in orbit, refueling, relocating, and extending the life of satellites, and clearing the debris that crowded orbits leave behind.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of debris

Noun

At Balenciaga, where Pierpaolo Piccioli made his debut with bubble silhouettes that reference an iconic dress by the house founder and chez Jean Paul Gaultier, Duran Lantink had the last laugh—as an enfant terrible is wont to do.

— Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 10 July 2026
There are genuine laughs sprinkled in but too many elements land with a thud — including an excessive amount of comedic gore that grows tiresome and a mailman/narrator gag that just isn’t funny.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of laugh

Verb

At times, the Swiss filmmaker teases the possibility that the conventional narrative shown thus far might break into a bold, daring twist.

— Elena Lazic, Variety, 11 July 2026
The pair talked strategy and teased the possibility of more deals, notably with ITV Studios seen as an acquisition target.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 July 2026

Definition of tease

Noun

Instead, rival parties united in dismissing his actions as a stunt, leaving his only opponent to be a garbage-can wearing comedian whose policies include forcing rule-breaking cyclists to ride unicycles.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Using a plastic bag to collect the soil and disposing of it in the garbage — not green yard waste bins — will help to reduce the spread of airborne chemicals.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of garbage

Noun

The chemistry between the two leads is astounding, with both men encouraged to improvise during filming to make their banter feel authentic.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026
Bird and Morgan also appear in the special, which uses light banter and commentary to help viewers understand the athletes’ impact and achievements.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 July 2026

Definition of banter

Verb

But Guthrie wasn’t kidding, slipping into a yellow gingham dress before joining her co-hosts on the Today Show Plaza to greet visitors.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
If there was any skepticism due to the level of competition Moss faced in college, don’t kid yourself.

— Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Definition of kid

Verb

Don’t be fooled by their shocking price point—the bottoms have an expensive air thanks to their chic statement pockets and effortless wide-leg silhouette.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 July 2026
The fluffy blooms on mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) look pretty in pink, but don’t be fooled by their dainty appearance.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 July 2026

Definition of fool

Browse Nearby Words

chafes

chaff

chaffed

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Style

“Chaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chaff. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of chaff

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

Example Sentences

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