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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
The resulting fire from the crash sent large puffs of black smoke into the air. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026 The resulting fire sent large puffs of black smoke into the air. — Staff and Wire Reports, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
Wind would blow the trees against the windows and the humidifier would puff and David would deteriorate in his little slice of existence, running out the clock there on the very edge of other people’s real lives. — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026 The Emanuels created the second dress just in case something happened to Diana’s primary dress, which came complete with a 25-foot train, 10,000 pearls, antique lace, puff sleeves, and a ruffled V-neck. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Aug. 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
  • Cool Pacific breezes and a variety of soils make this stretch of Northern California a perfect place to grow grapes.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The Delta region, Sacramento included, can rejoice in the Delta breeze being a consistent feature through the week, offering some reprieve from the stubborn summer afternoon heat.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of breeze
Verb
  • Then came news from the delivery room that made everyone gasp.
    — Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
  • There’s an almost comically blasé way in which the performers — who are used to such spectacles — go about their work an hour before thousands of audience members will gasp and clap at the same tricks.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of gasp
Verb
  • Rookie Ethan Salas stroked an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning Saturday night as the San Diego Padres edged the visiting Miami Marlins 7-6.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • But Kim stroked a walk-off single into left field in the ninth inning off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of stroke
Noun
  • Heti stared at the drawing in front of her and muttered whatever under her breath.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • These comparisons are essential to Da Corte, who has a radical notion that Lichtenstein can, and should, be thought of in the same breath as the Pictures Generation.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of breath
Verb
  • The Row Frima pants $3,150 Track Star The track jacket is my fall answer to fashion’s (and my personal) ongoing love affair with sport—styled with a touch of Saint Laurent and Celine polish for everyday or taken full pro athlete à la Balenciaga.
    — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The delivery person added that none of the canines appeared to have access to food or sufficient water, and that all the animals were panting.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 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
  • Just massage the oil into hair and then leave it in to work its magic.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 10 Sep. 2026
  • These included cleaning, caring for Chong’s children and massaging his feet without pay, 7NEWS reported.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Williams watched the record-breaking performance on TV from his home in Glen Ellyn and called Crow-Armstrong after the game to congratulate the 24-year-old.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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