puffing (up)

Definition of puffing (up)next
present participle of puff (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffing (up)
Verb
  • Even more, its comfortable band flexes with your body without rolling up or digging in.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • His right ankle was both dislocated and fractured, the brutal byproduct of Niners safety Ji’Ayir Brown trying to make a tackle on Tampa Bay’s third offensive possession and rolling up into the back of Warner’s legs.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In such a case, any adjustment to that initial arrangement, no matter how small, would prevent the fluid from blowing up.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Of course, the committee wouldn’t normally award the prize to someone who has been blowing up small, allegedly drug-running fishing boats, killing the people in them.
    Merrill Matthews, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Sweeping daily—especially in the kitchen—prevents dust, crumbs, and dirt from building up and keeps floors consistently fresh.
    Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Below a certain depth, however, pressure prevents gases from building up, and keeps the body from rising.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.
    JOSH FUNK, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The military is striking the boats at the same time the administration is applying increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
    NPR, NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puffing (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffing%20%28up%29. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!