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as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude he's been acting very huffy ever since he was named head of the department

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 huffy Although an entire city beckons, the first season hinges in part on whether the Russells’ neighbor—the huffy, old-money Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski)—will ever cross Sixty-first Street to visit. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 June 2025 Inevitably all this tumult attracts the attention of a trio of huffy rival confectioners, Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Prodnose (Matt Lucas), and Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton). Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Dec. 2023 Its engagingly huffy maestro, Michel Troisgros, is preparing to hand over the reins to César, his eldest son and head chef. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Nov. 2023 Thus the mischief of the Allegretto scherzando was made more mischievous: Its huffy pace and hushed dialogues of oboes and flutes interrupted by scrubby strings. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 13 May 2023 Opal, a huffy but tender Adrianna Mitchell, frowns beneath the frills she’s forced to wear by her mother Rabby (Benja Kay Thomas, taking everyone to church), and shares Juicy’s search for an alternative way to be. Naveen Kumar, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023 After one unexpectedly circuitous recovery mission, the X-ers sent a huffy correction to the Google Maps team. Steven Levy, WIRED, 17 Feb. 2023 And before anyone gets huffy about the cost of living on the coasts, remember that those statewide thresholds would presumably apply to less costly inland California and New York, too. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 9 May 2021 Some homophobic military goons get huffy when Joe and Nicky kiss when captured, and then the bad guys get their butts whupped. Brian Truitt, Detroit Free Press, 10 July 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for huffy
Adjective
  • But a new wrench is thrown into the works in the form of an irritable downstairs neighbor.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 27 June 2025
  • When a muscle is injured or put under extra stress, myofascial trigger points—basically, irritable spots in the muscle—can form and cause pain.
    Jenny McCoy, SELF, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The protests proved conclusively that Americans will not tolerate the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities, the constant line-stepping over constitutional boundaries, the arrests of political dissenters, or the arrogant defense of police-state tactics.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
  • In Aesop’s fable, the turtle (traditionally called a tortoise, which is a type of turtle) is a winner, a perpetual underdog who defeats the arrogant hare.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her new novel, Spent, tells the story of one Alison Bechdel, a tetchy lesbian cartoonist running a pygmy-goat sanctuary in Vermont who is trying to write a memoir about the corrupting influence of money.
    Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 16 June 2025
  • One is her ex, the struggling, somewhat tetchy actor/caterer John, played by Chris Evans.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Vance was similarly cavalier about the Administration’s noncompliance with court orders—and even about the fact that Abrego Garcia, convicted of no crime in the United States or El Salvador, has been imprisoned indefinitely.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
  • Meet my very good boys (pictured): Scooter is a nine-year-old cavapoo (cavalier King Charles spaniel and poodle mix).
    Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • The observatory’s mirror design, sensitive camera and telescope speed are all the first of its kind, enabling Rubin to spot tiny, faint objects such as asteroids.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 June 2025
  • With the hot and humid conditions, ozone levels will become unhealthy for sensitive groups (people with lung disease, young children, older adults, etc.).
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Few things in life are touchier or more prone to argument than the topic of favorite sports movies.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
  • Sun Sentinel Asking Eric: My son begged us not to bring up our grievance to his touchy in-laws His wife’s parents make all the holiday plans, and we’re never invited.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Huffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/huffy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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