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.
-
Signs include panting, a hoarse bark, scuffing or dragging their toes along the ground, and sometimes regurgitation or swallowing problems.
Verb
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There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.
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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.
Verb
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Brooks also relished his role as a class clown, terrorizing his teachers and leaving his friends gasping with laughter.
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Sometimes poetry leaves the cinema behind, gasping for breath.
Verb
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The Ross Township Police Department shared the video on Facebook on Monday, applauding Sergeant Chuberko and Officer Roy for rescuing the deer.
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The bottom line is that none of this is worth applauding.
Verb
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Longtime friends Robert De Niro and Streep shared a friendly smooch during the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala in 2018, following the actor's speech praising the star.
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Bruckheimer kicked off the conversation by praising Cue and the Apple team.
Verb
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Before executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham could end his draft-night phone call congratulating Swain, the rookie couldn’t keep himself from taking a dig at his new boss’s alma mater.
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Seated next to Harvey, Laila Edwards grew emotional while congratulating her longtime friend and teammate upon being selected.
Verb
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For a spa-like retreat, consider a home sauna or a massaging showerhead.
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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.
Verb
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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.
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Kennedy then mentioned her daughter and became emotional while commending her work.
Cite this Entry
“Puffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffing. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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