huff 1 of 2

1
as in fuss
a state of nervous or irritated concern was in a huff because everyone was running late and the school bus would stop to pick them up in a matter of minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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huff

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word huff distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of huff are dudgeon, offense, pique, resentment, and umbrage. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

Where would dudgeon be a reasonable alternative to huff?

Although the words dudgeon and huff have much in common, dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When is offense a more appropriate choice than huff?

While in some cases nearly identical to huff, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When can pique be used instead of huff?

The synonyms pique and huff are sometimes interchangeable, but pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

When might resentment be a better fit than huff?

In some situations, the words resentment and huff are roughly equivalent. However, resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

In what contexts can umbrage take the place of huff?

The words umbrage and huff are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

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 huff
Noun
Trump huffs and he puffs And could blow the White House down Pick a different end Plus! Drew Goins, Washington Post, 12 July 2024 To experience all three—plus a wine tasting after a heart-pumping, 316-stair huff to the top of Tour Philippe le Bon—book The Treats of Dijon excursion on France’s new food trail, La Vallée De La Gastronomie, that runs from Marseille to Dijon. Lanee Lee, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Jan. 2023
Verb
Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace seem to have huffed an entire boxed set of Friday Night Lights before sitting down to brainstorm Landman. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025 The bear growled, huffed and clacked her teeth — making sure her message of getting away from her cubs got across. Benjamin Alva Polley, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for huff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for huff
Noun
  • Generous panes of glass disappears, allowing the interior to spill outdoors without fuss.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • With the Apple Watch SE, stay connected, track workouts, and get helpful safety features without overspending, all without fuss.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Actors Sam Retford, Seamus McLean Ross, and Connor MacNeill tell us about filming that epic throne room scene.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The friend, who left the scene and was unharmed, then called the police to report the attack, The Asahi Shimbun reported.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For those on the fringes of the fan protest, maintaining the anger to rally against those in charge probably becomes harder in those circumstances.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Rodgers said that Wong, during a psychological evaluation while in custody, denied having problems controlling his anger and said he’s never been verbally abusive, threatening or violent when angry.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • IndieWire’s David Ehrlich raved about this brilliant movie out of Sundance with an A-grade review.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Superman was a hot mess of a movie, but fans and critics alike raved about it.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Drenched in sweat, the group was all smiles hitting the bridge’s descent, the final leg before our finish line, Birdee, Kent Hospitality’s new bakery and café.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025
  • An individual may produce as much as 2 to 3 gallons of sweat per day.
    Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Acknowledge the fact that your current role might not be the right fit.
    Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The clothes alone are a cultural fit without a ton of logos.
    Essence, Essence, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • At another time, a perpetually anxious comedian who can’t keep from ranting about his paranoid worries about the end of the world probably would not feel like such a helpful guide to life.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Funk Flex recently got blasted on the internet for ranting in response to the verdict about Cassie and her behavior over the last few years.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • As Mackey and Noem bust into the theater, the audience scrambles in panic.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The scream, the adults in the living room knocking over chairs and flying towards the terrace, Mr. Tiago and the boy’s father diving in with their clothes on and everything, the women standing at the pool’s edge in panic, crying.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Huff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/huff. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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