puff 1 of 2

noun

Definition of puffnext
as in breeze
a slight or gentle movement of air felt a puff of wind on his face

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

puff

2 of 2

verb

ˈpəf How to pronounce puff (audio)
1
as in to gasp
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty he came running up the stairs puffing and wheezing

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to stroke
to praise too much a talk show host who can be counted on to puff up the celebrities who readily consent to be interviewed

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 puff
Noun
Kate wore one by Faithfull The Brand with puff sleeves and a v-neckline for a visit to The Nook Hospice in June 2020. — Zoe Kaplan, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 The tiered skirt is breezy, while the flowy puff sleeves offer plenty of airflow. — Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026
Verb
The cookie dough balls are rolled in powdered sugar, which crackles and splits apart while the cookies puff and bake. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 17 July 2026 For cigar aficionados, the outdoor Cigar Terrace is the place to puff on a Havana from the bar’s humidor while listening to live jazz band performances in the evenings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for puff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puff
  1. breeze
  2. gasp
  3. stroke
  4. breath
  5. pant
  6. honey
  7. massage
  8. congratulate
Noun
  • Large white feathers wafted in the breeze—Paris, after all, drove the 19th-century ostrich feather craze that swept the fashion world.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The region’s mild climate and coastal breezes encourage an effortless indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of breeze
Verb
  • Those in the crowd held their breath—and audibly gasped—as the opening to season three unfolded onscreen.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026
  • Medical staff told officers that the gasping noises were a result of the resuscitation efforts and oxygen pumped into the toddler's body, the reports said.
    — Jose R. Gonzalez, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of gasp
Verb
  • Videos from Xinhua show the knobby-kneed newborn resting on straw, being stroked and examined by scientists in white coats.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Leaders do not have the luxury of sitting in the corner contemplating their feelings or hoping someone will stroke their egos.
    — Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of stroke
Noun
  • Novice freedivers can usually learn to hold their breath for over two minutes and descend to over 20 meters while professional freedivers can dive well deeper than 100 meters and hold their breath for well over 10 minutes.
    — Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Wasp was a welcome breath of fresh Marvel air after the grim finale of Infinity War, but that’s not enough to justify its entry into the top 20.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of breath
Verb
  • The bear was panting and struggling with the placement of its paws and legs on the pole — which was carrying 7,200-volt wires at 22 feet high.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • Dogs primarily rely on panting, while cats also groom themselves to help regulate body temperature.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 21 July 2026
Definition of pant
Verb
  • The mouthfeel is thick, chewy, and honeyed, with a hint of marzipan.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of honey
Verb
  • Nike is back adding tech to your footwear with its new massaging slide.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 July 2026
  • The peaceful massaging relaxation of these luxurious tubs can be a dream for many.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • Pezeshkian congratulated Khalil al-Hayya on his election as head of the group’s political bureau and told him Iran would continue supporting the Palestinian cause, according to a Hamas statement posted in Arabic, and reviewed by Fox News Digital.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The text is a reference to the song’s lyrics, which see Bad Bunny congratulating and thanking his parents for giving birth to him.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
Definition of congratulate

Phrases Containing puff

Browse Nearby Words

puerility
puff
puff adder
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Cite this Entry

“Puff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puff. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of puff for Spanish Speakers

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