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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffing

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
Her dog panting, unquestioning, always thrilled to see her.

— Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026