Synonyms of puffed

puffed 1 of 2

adjective

as in swollen

enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure

her eyelid was so puffed she couldn't see with that eye

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swollen
• blown
• distended
• turgid
• varicose
• overinflated
• bloated
• expanded
• tumescent
• bulging
• tumid
• blown up
• dilated
• ballooned
• protuberant
• ballooning
• ventricose
• dilating
• turgescent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collapsed
• deflated
• detumescent

puffed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of puff

1

as in gasped

to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty

he came running up the stairs puffing and wheezing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gasped
• panted
• heaved
• wheezed
• blew
• snored
• choked
• huffed
• hyperventilated
• was out of breath
• gulped
• exhaled
• smothered
• stifled
• gagged
• strangled
• asphyxiated
• expired
• snuffled

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

• applauded
• stroked
• congratulated
• honeyed
• praised
• commended
• massaged
• flattered
• overpraised
• coaxed
• belauded
• adulated
• buttered up
• cajoled
• complimented
• wheedled
• fawned
• blarneyed
• wooed
• kowtowed
• extolled
• sucked (up to)
• toadied
• idolized
• eulogized
• slavered
• blandished
• hero-worshipped
• soft-soaped
• lauded
• gushed
• worshipped
• ingratiated
• sweet-talked
• slobbered
• felicitated
• drooled
• endeared
• romanced
• courted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decried
• put down
• disparaged
• depreciated
• belittled
• bad-mouthed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of puffed

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, 20 Oct. 2025

Verb

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

Bake pâte à choux side by side until golden brown and puffed, 32–35 minutes. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026

The silk taffeta dress was specially woven and dyed ivory and featured a ruffled collar, puffed sleeves, voluminous skirt and, perhaps most notably, a dramatic 25-foot train and 153-yard tulle veil. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

Bake until cakes are golden and puffed and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. — Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026

Sleeves continue to dominate the trend cycle, and blouses with balloon or puffed sleeves go particularly well with granny jeans. — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 17 July 2026

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

Meanwhile in Boston, England huffed and puffed but could not blow Ghana away. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Place puffed corn in a large 17x12x2-inch roasting pan. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026