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
If the accretion disk puffs up in just the right way, the incoming gas can overwhelm the radiation pressure. — Quanta Magazine, 2 July 2026 Turned on a recorder, took a puff, started playing some jazz. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
Featuring a delicate lace trim, a V-neckline, buttons up the front, and lightly puffed sleeves, this top is beyond gorgeous. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026 Despite those flashes on the counter, Potter will have probably felt like puffing his cheeks and throwing his hands in the air. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 30 June 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
  • Moving every two hours was a breeze to stick to, but the returns were less impressive.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 14 July 2026
  • The company's MaonoLink software unlocks additional features to make recording a breeze.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 July 2026
Definition of breeze
Verb
  • Gauff and Muchová had the crowd gasping in the thick heat through the tiebreak, which produced some of the most electric shots of what had already been a tense match.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 July 2026
  • Several people reported that the boy seemed to be gasping for air, police said.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of gasp
Verb
  • There are many outcomes that stroke our ego — a distribution deal, a theater count, a Rotten Tomatoes score, impressions or even followers on social media.
    — Daren Smith, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
  • Medina cuts the ball back, Almada dummies it intelligently and, when the ball reaches him, Messi has enough space to stroke a first-time shot into the net.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of stroke
Noun
  • Three of those goals were scored past Iraizoz, the former Athletic Club goalkeeper, including a solo effort in a 2-2 draw at San Mames that still takes your breath away, 13 years later.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • Companies are posting record profits and shrinking their management layers in the same breath.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of breath
Verb
  • Like Fritz said, Tiafoe snatched his NBA-style pants off in one motion.
    — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • When panting alone cannot shed enough heat, dogs fall back on shade.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of pant
Verb
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2024
Definition of honey
Verb
  • Words have been parsed over, ideas about location, production design, costume, lighting have all been carefully massaged even up to the day of photography.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The third button activates OmniStretch mode, which slowly moves the piston across its full range of motion to stretch your back and massage your spine.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • Postmatch, the king of Spain, King Felipe VI, was one of the first to congratulate La Roja on snapping the 16-year drought.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • The Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC for Senate Republicans, released a statement congratulating Nordone’s nomination.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026
Definition of congratulate

Phrases Containing puff

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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 17 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of puff for Spanish Speakers

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