PUFFING Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

puffing

verb

Definition of puffing next

present participle of puff

as in panting

to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty he came running up the stairs puffing and wheezing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in stroking

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 puffing In the images, Shatner could be seen puffing on a cigar and smiling in front of a sunset. —

Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026 Either way, the fat can get a smidge warm after rolling the pastry out, which will prevent it from puffing as much as possible when baked. —

Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026 There’s head coach Reid kissing the Super Bowl trophy, quarterback Mahomes throwing a pass while horizontal in midair and Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson puffing on a cigarette in an image football fans know well. —

Lisa Gutierrez march 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026 The actors paced in the wings puffing on cigarettes, watching the sliding door in case the fireman should catch them. —

Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026 Varied scenes include a video of smokestacks in the unmistakable soft light of a Beijing winter, the artist puffing cigarettes as a Lazy Susan spins leisurely with dishes and a bottle of Nongfu Spring, a local mineral water brand; and a robot getting out of an elevator. —

Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026 This whiskey can, of course, be enjoyed without puffing on a cigar—that part of the ritual is completely optional—but it was made very intentionally by master blender Nancy Fraley and master distiller John Schrepel. —

Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2025 Out on break, puffing on a cigarette, Dana is sucker-punched by a patient disgruntled over his wait time. —

Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025 Lohan, in a white dress, is seen puffing on an electronic cigarette and also eating ice cream from 4D Gelateria on South Pointe Drive. —

Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffing

Verb

Eyes wide, panting near panic, Foster perfectly captures the audience's own fear of being alone in the dark with a monster.

— Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
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