1
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
the flustered newscaster's fluffs included a mispronunciation of the town's name
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to fumble
to make a mistake
unnerved by her earlier missteps, the skater fluffed on the final jump as well
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to blow
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
I completely fluffed the introduction by calling the boss's wife by the wrong name
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of fluff
Judy Berman, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
Milkweeds have light fluff that expands, acting as a parasail, and catches a gust of wind.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 22 Aug. 2025
Wilson Isidor’s shot was unthreatening enough but Hermansen’s attempts to push it around his post were fluffed, allowing the ball to bounce tamely into the corner.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluff
Noun
Which, in the realm of entertainment, means that summer fluff has begun to give way to more substantial fare.
—Judy Berman, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
Milkweeds have light fluff that expands, acting as a parasail, and catches a gust of wind.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Wool dryer balls can prevent clumping, as can manually fluffing the blanket throughout the drying cycle.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 22 Aug. 2025
Wilson Isidor’s shot was unthreatening enough but Hermansen’s attempts to push it around his post were fluffed, allowing the ball to bounce tamely into the corner.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluff
Noun
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Viewers flooded the comment section, gushing over Lightning's adorable look, fur color and all.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Zendaya was the silver star of the show in a knotty mini-dress with fur cuffs and collars.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Steelers, Saints, Cardinals Sam Darnold was nearly perfect (28-of-34 passing for 341 yards and four touchdowns), but his one mistake was a costly interception late that set up the Bucs’ winning field goal.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Mahomes methodically pushed the offense to Jacksonville’s goal line before making what was a game-changing mistake.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Saints, Panthers Arizona somehow turned an interception into a touchdown for their opponent and fumbled away another sure touchdown in a bad, bad loss on Sunday.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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After multiple punts, Keon Coleman, Allen’s trusty wide receiver, uncharacteristically fumbled later in the first quarter as well.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Grealish, no longer prone, headed, just like Moyes, to the South Stand and appeared to blow a kiss to adoring fans.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Apparently, Grier forgot his own words, because the lines that the Dolphins have built are collectively their worst this decade, something evident in a crushing 27-24 loss to Carolina, a game in which Miami blew a 17-0 lead.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
It is reserved for two duck boats and vast piles of decoys.—
Worth Matthewson,
Outdoor Life,
2 Oct. 2025
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Then began the process of trimming the pile down to a fraction of its size.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Vehicles included in this recall may have an error in the instrument panel software at startup, failing to show speed, brake system information, and tire pressure warning lights.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Yes, plenty of errors were made — six of them by shortstop Trevor Story in September alone — but errors are different from gaffes.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But there have been some career stumbles recently, a superhero disappointment in particular, that must have complicated Johnson’s conception of his remarkable career.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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Wallen then stumbles to his feet in the middle of the road, as rain pours down, with close-up images showing Wallen in tattered clothes and covered in scrapes and cuts.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fluff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluff. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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