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
Meanwhile, Spurs, under their third manager of the season, were huffing and puffing in their attempts to blow Wolves’ defence down.
—
Matt Slater, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
In the mid-2000s, after getting the worst of it during a few hurricanes, the external panels had to be replaced, but they were faithfully reproduced down to the bull’s steam-puffing nostrils.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Hilton asked the same cigar-puffing audience Friday moments after Bianco spoke.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026
Some people still try to breathe through their mouth during sleep, a phenomenon called 'mouth puffing.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2026
By my bedroom window, the radiator was puffing hot air.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Matt Slater, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
In the mid-2000s, after getting the worst of it during a few hurricanes, the external panels had to be replaced, but they were faithfully reproduced down to the bull’s steam-puffing nostrils.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Hilton asked the same cigar-puffing audience Friday moments after Bianco spoke.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026
Some people still try to breathe through their mouth during sleep, a phenomenon called 'mouth puffing.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2026
By my bedroom window, the radiator was puffing hot air.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffing
Verb
-
Dogs primarily regulate heat through panting and small sweat glands in their paw pads, according to the American Kennel Club.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
Signs include panting, a hoarse bark, scuffing or dragging their toes along the ground, and sometimes regurgitation or swallowing problems.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
Alongside Cruise feeding and stroking his dying cat while walking around his mansion with his gut hanging out, there are shots of planes readying for battle and collapsing polar ice caps.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The late-night order halts what would have been the nation’s ninth nitrogen execution, a rare reprieve in a state where recent nitrogen deaths involved shaking, gasping and prolonged suffering.—
Kim Chandler,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Stewart dropped to one knee under an archway of beautiful purple and pink blooms and Karam could be seen gasping in delight when she was presented with an engagement ring, as seen in the snaps.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Sunday night’s ceremony offered a different message — Broadway is willing to work with Rudin, but applauding him is still a bridge too far.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
8 June 2026
-
The rescue also drew praise on social media, with many users applauding Myron's quick actions and willingness to help a stranger.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Kelli cries over how solid the Mwangi unit is, praising Gerald as a father and husband and affirming that Shamea’s ass is real, while everyone else looks on, bewildered.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
-
On Friday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson posted on social media praising a reported drop in homicides in his city on Gun Violence Awareness Day.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
In his concession speech, Eliasch aimed an allegation at the Olympic body and urged FIS to protect its independence before congratulating Ospelt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
-
Trump opened the event by welcoming the participants and their families to the White House and congratulating them on their success.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
What makes lemon peels so beneficial is their acidic oils; agitate the peels by rolling, chopping, and massaging them before adding to your soil to extract as many benefits as possible.—
Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano,
The Spruce,
7 June 2026
-
To heat, microwave in short intervals, massaging the rice around in between.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Western, for his part, had by this time recovered something of his usual bluster, and began again upon the subject of Blifil, commending his estate and his family with great earnestness, as though these considerations alone ought to have settled the matter long since.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
-
Kennedy then mentioned her daughter and became emotional while commending her work.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffing. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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