as in swollen
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure
her eyelid was so puffed she couldn't see with that eye
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gasped
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty
he came running up the stairs puffing and wheezing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in applauded
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
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Recent Examples of puffed
Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
Bake, 1 baking sheet at a time, in preheated oven until slightly puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Bake until puffed and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
The restaurant serves both traditional pancakes and a German-style pancake baked until puffed and golden, a menu item that has helped set it apart over the decades.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The look featured a hood and a puffed silhouette.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Cook for 4-6mins on each side until puffed and cooked through.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 9 May 2026
With a feminine square neckline, puffed sleeves, and a figure-flattering smocked bodice, this beautiful dress embodies fairy tale-like elegance.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
The gently puffed sleeves offer a unique silhouette, and the knit detailing adds extra flair.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Declan Rice puffed his cheeks out for what could have been a world-record attempt in cheek-puffing.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
What emerged was an omelet of ideal and epitomic shape—straight, proudly puffed, about six and a half inches long and two and a half inches wide, with squarish ends and neither a speck nor drop of oil or liquid egg anywhere around.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
Bake on the middle rack of the heated oven until the top is puffed and lightly golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clear, 25 to 30 minutes.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
When a stray kitten arrived at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in early March, her tiny body was puffed up like a balloon.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Cover pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer, checking occasionally to make sure water isn’t boiling too rapidly, until matzo balls are very puffed and light in color, 30–40 minutes.
—Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
Bake, 1 baking sheet at a time, in preheated oven until slightly puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Bake until puffed and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
The restaurant serves both traditional pancakes and a German-style pancake baked until puffed and golden, a menu item that has helped set it apart over the decades.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The look featured a hood and a puffed silhouette.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
Chests puffed up with victory for a time, but soon new imperial worries bent shoulders and backs.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Cook for 4-6mins on each side until puffed and cooked through.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 9 May 2026
With a feminine square neckline, puffed sleeves, and a figure-flattering smocked bodice, this beautiful dress embodies fairy tale-like elegance.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
The gently puffed sleeves offer a unique silhouette, and the knit detailing adds extra flair.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Declan Rice puffed his cheeks out for what could have been a world-record attempt in cheek-puffing.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
What emerged was an omelet of ideal and epitomic shape—straight, proudly puffed, about six and a half inches long and two and a half inches wide, with squarish ends and neither a speck nor drop of oil or liquid egg anywhere around.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
Bake on the middle rack of the heated oven until the top is puffed and lightly golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clear, 25 to 30 minutes.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
When a stray kitten arrived at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in early March, her tiny body was puffed up like a balloon.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffed
Adjective
-
Most adults including pregnant people either have no symptoms or experience mild, flu-like illness such as fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and muscle or joint aches.—
Dr. Megan Yanny,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
First symptoms often include extreme tiredness, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
When Coleman ambled onstage, the audience gasped and broke into applause.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
-
Anabelle gasped for air for about three minutes before going still, body camera footage shows.—
Clare Amari,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
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According to eyewitnesses, when passers-by realized security forces had apprehended the notorious crime figure, people cheered and applauded the police.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who applauded the mayor at her emergency declaration event, is now looking to unseat her.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
On one of the machines a Cluely employee panted and huffed in the dark.—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After a popout to second by first baseman Jordan Woolery, shortstop Aleena Garcia stroked an RBI single to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Freddie Freeman stroked a two-out RBI single up the middle in the fifth inning to put the Dodgers ahead 3-0.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Several celebrities, including Ilana Glazer and Uzo Aduba, congratulated the couple in the comments section.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
-
Arizona Diamondbacks is congratulated by Corbin Carroll #7 and Geraldo Perdomo #2 after hitting a grand slam during the first inning of the MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on May 18, 2026 in Phoenix.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Universal City Police Chief Johnny Siemens praised the swift response by officers and partner agencies.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
Bernardino Couñago, the firm’s co-founder and CEO, praised the potential of the solar platform.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
Verb
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For example, Dick Cheney’s 2008 address to the graduates emphasized the Coast Guard legacy and role in homeland security and commended the class on its motto to defend the Constitution and uphold high standards.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2026
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Sarah Eagan, executive director of the Center for Children’s Advocacy and former Child Advocate, said Scheff should be commended for running a challenging agency.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffed. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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