1
as in panting
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty
he came running up the stairs puffing and wheezing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
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
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Recent Examples of puffing
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
What Pie Weights Really Do Pie weights help prevent pie crusts from puffing up or shrinking during blind baking—the process of partially or fully baking a pie crust before adding filling.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025
For centuries, locals have looked up at the constantly puffing peak in celebration rather than fear.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
And more than anything, more than the animosity between the programs, more than the College Football Playoff impact, more than Notre Dame puffing its chest out as USC backed down, that familiarity was the real higher power at work.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The president has increasingly embraced fake images and videos — some appearing to be AI-generated — to mock and taunt political rivals while also puffing up his image.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2025
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
What Pie Weights Really Do Pie weights help prevent pie crusts from puffing up or shrinking during blind baking—the process of partially or fully baking a pie crust before adding filling.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025
For centuries, locals have looked up at the constantly puffing peak in celebration rather than fear.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
And more than anything, more than the animosity between the programs, more than the College Football Playoff impact, more than Notre Dame puffing its chest out as USC backed down, that familiarity was the real higher power at work.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The president has increasingly embraced fake images and videos — some appearing to be AI-generated — to mock and taunt political rivals while also puffing up his image.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffing
Verb
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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
-
Her dog panting, unquestioning, always thrilled to see her.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
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At one point Eliot entered the TV room and found Abby with her head on Claire’s lap, Claire stroking her hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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The result is a searing drama that had audiences at the National Theatre in London, where the production opened at the end of 2024, gasping in surprise, shock, and sympathy.—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Among those in attendance was former NFL center Jason Kelce, who was shown on the scoreboard applauding the goal initially credited to Edwards.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
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There are bodily fluids, jeering crowds, and demonic Punch and Judy puppets applauding through the chaos, giving the scene the air of a demented fairy tale.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Paxton’s campaign began airing an ad Friday that features video clips of Trump praising Paxton and images of them together.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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After praising Dreher for 10 minutes, Vance invited him onstage.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Malinin was magnanimous afterward, hugging and congratulating surprise gold medalist Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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While Sweetpea and Ed Burgess were busy congratulating themselves for securing Tony Day’s damning eyewitness account of Tender’s fraudulence, Whitney threatened his man in Africa back into the fold.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some of that could use massaging, especially in a second act that is somewhat less secure.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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Slowly work your hands up toward your rib bones and continue massaging straight across your abdomen and down to the left hip bone.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
SELF,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That was the closest the 2026 DGA speeches came to being political outside of union support, with directors Coogler and Safdie both commending the insurance the guild provides (particularly as each director has a child that is currently sick).—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Feb. 2026
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His teammates rallied behind him — including Sakamoto, men’s short program winner Yuma Kagiyama (who bested Malinin with a truly exceptional showing) and pairs favorites Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara — commending the rock solid performance.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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