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
The huffs and hums, produced by two women standing face-to-face and vocalizing from their throats, is believed to be one of the oldest music forms in the world. Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024 Trump huffs and he puffs And could blow the White House down Pick a different end Plus! Drew Goins, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
Verb
The trail huffs up 1,000 feet per mile, traversing talus slopes and narrow ridgelines en route to a dizzying view of Yellowstone Lake. Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Outside Online, 3 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for huff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for huff
Noun
  • Stop in to see what all the fuss is about.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The ongoing lawsuit isn't the first time the FTC has made a fuss about Amazon's operations recently.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Having this really intense action scene, and then all of a sudden a joke, a funny moment.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Allen’s title character asks her mother in the play’s second scene.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Verbatim Reginald Dwayne Betts A 2012 essay from the American Poetry Review on poetry and the architecture of anger.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Morocco Anti-government protests fueled by anger over Morocco pouring money into preparations for the 2030 World Cup instead of public services have raged in the country for nearly a week.
    Connor Greene, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And right now, Amazon customers are raving about the Zoosixx Wide-Leg Lounge Pants — which have a Prime member discount today.
    Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Posey raved about Ramos’s work ethic and said the Giants haven’t seen the best of the 26-year-old.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • They’re made with the same ultra-soft Nulu fabric that’s sweat-wicking and stretchy; however, the new ones are made without seams.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Made from breathable, sweat-wicking stretch fabric, they’re designed with a subtle kick flare for a flattering fit.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Inspired by a vintage fit, this blazer will last for years to come and is the most elegant layering piece.
    Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The show also presented a fringy moccasin-adjacent boot style with a sock-like fit featuring a signature design of the house.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • TikTok user @shotmyheartwithnovacaine posted a video in July ranting about how people dress when going to concerts to her 137K followers.
    Laney Crawley, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
  • No need to rant and rave at the AI about its code generation.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There was still no panic when, in March 2023, CRH — the world’s biggest building materials supplier — chose to switch to New York.
    Ian King, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • But the real success lies in making hydration a daily habit, not a panic-buying response.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Huff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/huff. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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