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 full look featured a puff-sleeve blouse with a button-up front and intricate lace collar, matching shorts, and retro cat-eye sunglasses in white à la Betty Draper. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026 Style this puff-sleeve blouse for office days, date nights, and gatherings with friends. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
Everybody gets a chance to bicker and puff their chest or almost get in a fight with somebody else in the room and reacquaint themselves with the audience. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2026 Bake in preheated oven, rotating pans from top to bottom halfway through, until danishes are puffed and deep golden brown, 12-15 minutes. — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 1 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
  • By the time Olivia Rodrigo hit the stage to headline the inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival, the sun had set on a sweltering day, and anyone who was fading was sure to feel reenergized both from a welcome breeze and from Rodrigo’s set.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Pair it with straight-leg jeans and ballet flats for autumn travels and simply layer on a barn jacket if there’s a cool breeze.
    — Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of breeze
Verb
  • The power outages caused by storms that roared through the region nearly two weeks ago have one resident of this Rust Belt city literally gasping for air.
    — Selina Guevara, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Loud, frequent snoring paired with gasping, choking or pauses in breathing may point to obstructive sleep apnea.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of gasp
Verb
  • Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 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
  • Not feeling quite ready to start clearing up yet, Tracey stood in the kitchen doorway and took a long, deep breath.
    — Helen Simpson, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Coastal protection advocates held their breath late into the night Friday as the clock ticked at the end of the legislative session.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 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
  • Top Plays from Bears @ Titans To be clear, the first version will likely be revised and massaged before the Bears arrive at their first meaningful practice of Week 1.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Place chicken thighs in a large zip-top plastic bag and pour marinade over them; seal and massage to coat chicken.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • Melvin and Dreyer took turns congratulating and embracing Ikeda shortly after the news broke.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Djokovic sent a message congratulating Federer on his inevitable induction.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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