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 honied
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
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Recent Examples of puffed
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2025
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2025
Like so many institutions before it, the museum could have ignored the students, or puffed up some sort of defense.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
He was inspired by folkloric characters from history, like the Slavic Baba Yaga and the Italian Befana, as well as Victorian lady silhouettes, 17th century panniers, puffed sleeves, and harem pants.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
The anklet has puffed heart charms along the piece and is held together with a lobster clasp for ensured security.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
With her choice of clothing, Miller leaned into a look she was known for in the 2000s — the boho aesthetic — with an off-the-shoulder dress featuring puffed long sleeves, a dainty bow tied at the chest and a flowy skirt.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
Cover and let rise in a warm place until puffed and almost double in size (about 1 hour).
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
The midweight sweater has short and slightly puffed sleeves, a crew neckline, and a warm-weather-friendly cotton blend.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2025
Like so many institutions before it, the museum could have ignored the students, or puffed up some sort of defense.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
He was inspired by folkloric characters from history, like the Slavic Baba Yaga and the Italian Befana, as well as Victorian lady silhouettes, 17th century panniers, puffed sleeves, and harem pants.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
The anklet has puffed heart charms along the piece and is held together with a lobster clasp for ensured security.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
With her choice of clothing, Miller leaned into a look she was known for in the 2000s — the boho aesthetic — with an off-the-shoulder dress featuring puffed long sleeves, a dainty bow tied at the chest and a flowy skirt.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffed
Adjective
-
Her daughter, 1-year-old Imani Mitchell, was swollen and heavily bruised, according to the outlet.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Varicose veins—visible, swollen blood vessels underneath your skin, usually in your legs—can happen when blood that usually flows toward your heart backs up and pools in a vein.—
Sarah Hudgens,
Health,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Voices gasped, exhaled for a beat, then rose up in screams of horror.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Some exchanges were breathtaking — to them, certainly, and to those in the stands who gasped at the power during longer points.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This act of sportsmanship by Nicklaus was both controversial and applauded.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The user who tweeted the video, @SMHIghlights1, taunted Sanders for wanting the starting quarterback job because Cleveland lost, and instead of joining in on the mockery, several fans in the comment section actually applauded Sanders for being a good teammate.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The mood was celebratory, and Jassy congratulated employees on Zoox’s success to date, the person said.—
Salvador Rodriguez,Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
When the Niners clinched their spot in the coveted game, Brandt congratulated Purdy on the field.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But Rivera stroked into center field to end the game.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Toronto first got to Junk in the third inning as Nathan Lukes stroked a leadoff double, advanced on Ernie Clement’s flyout and came home on Springer’s RBI single.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The court gave the green light for those sweeping immigration operations to continue in Los Angeles — a decision that was praised by the White House and castigated by immigrant rights advocates.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
-
New novels are rightly praised for breaking with traditional forms and criticized for turning to stale formulas and cliches.—
Nathaniel Moore
September 10,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At an intimate reception at the library-like wine bar on Mercer Street, Sanders, a 29-year veteran of Condé Nast, was commended by Anna Wintour.—
Freya Drohan,
Vogue,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended the use of NATO aircraft to intercept Russian drones over Poland after a Wednesday incursion amid an attack on Ukraine.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Next to them, a blond, fit-looking woman, seated alone on a mat with crutches beside her, massaged herself, kneading muscles with her hands and using a scarf to help stretch her legs.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In order to get the best results, apply a small amount to clean, dry skin in the evening, gently massaged in until it’s fully absorbed.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffed. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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