as in breeze
a slight or gentle movement of air
felt a puff of wind on his face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Hannah Malach, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
Secondary recovery includes waterflooding or gas injection which includes huff-and-puff mode.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
Bake in preheated oven until puffed and set, about 30 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puff
Noun
Lisa modeled a mesh puff-sleeve number from Enfants Riches Déprimés's spring 2026 collection.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
Secondary recovery includes waterflooding or gas injection which includes huff-and-puff mode.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
In March and April, rosewater distilleries puff gently with steam, filling the air with a sweet, vegetal scent.
—Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
Bake in preheated oven until puffed and set, about 30 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puff
Noun
-
Wednesday is forecast to see stronger wind gusts, with a maximum of 29 miles per hour, before the breezes get gentler.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Its waterproof material not only stands up to spills and unpredictable weather, but also makes cleanup a breeze.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then came another jab, and the hairpiece bounced up as if Miller’s scalp was the bottom of a gasping clam.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
There was the lob from Ayton that James threw down left-handed, making teammates leap off their seats and fans gasp and cheer.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.—
Sarah Moss,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But in terms of the seismic blockbusters that have dominated the last few trade deadlines, don’t hold your breath.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Similarly, the heart rate of a hibernating groundhog slows from about 80 beats per minute to just five, while breathing slows from around 16 breaths per minute to as few as two, according to the National Wildlife Federation.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The men’s jeans retail for $145 and the twill pants for $135.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
-
Make your way to your belly button and massage the center of your stomach for a couple of minutes.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
SELF,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The other two guys, who are wearing undies when not getting massaged, are giving the lightest and most cursory of touches to either the shoulders or the calves.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Backstage, Finn Balor congratulated Punk and thanked him for giving him his flowers last week.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The idea that Henie actually had a romantic relationship with Hitler is widely disputed; the ice princess and the dictator did, however, reportedly go to lunch after Hitler congratulated her rinkside on winning her third Olympic title.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puff. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
