as in breezes
a slight or gentle movement of air
felt a puff of wind on his face
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in strokes
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 puffs
Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Make these pretty pink puffs for your afternoon luncheon.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
The restaurant first made waves with dishes like flaky curry puffs and laksa, a rice noodle soup made with more than 20 ingredients.
—Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Apr. 2026
Abe Lemons won an NIT and always filled reporters’ notebooks with colorful and outlandish quotes in between puffs on his ever-present cigar.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Love the afro puffs on her, however.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
His bakery specializes in French classics such as puffs from choux pastry, but also unique original creations, including a seasonal series with desserts shaped to look like real fruits.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Students moved from booth to booth sampling everything from Cajun pasta and cheesy enchilada bake to sushi rolls and strawberry pancake puffs.
—Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Customers can expect the brand's beloved scones, cardamom buns, and focaccia on the menu; The San Francisco Standard reports that owner Marisa Williams also plans to start selling guava tarts and apple rhubarb puffs.
—Monica Garske, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2026
But The Bagel Nut Duo, chocolate croissants, yellow sheet cake, and a bag of Cacio e Pepe puffs to eat your feelings about yet another recall.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
The crust puffs up nicely and isn’t as thin and cardboard-y as others, while the white cheese blend and wisp of rosemary remind me of a New York white pie slice.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Feb. 2026
Mia puffs up her body to look intimidating, as the googly-eyed statue stares back at her.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
The unusual survival of the snack soon sparked reactions online, with many commentators joking about the resilience of the popular cheese puffs.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Make these pretty pink puffs for your afternoon luncheon.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
The restaurant first made waves with dishes like flaky curry puffs and laksa, a rice noodle soup made with more than 20 ingredients.
—Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Apr. 2026
Abe Lemons won an NIT and always filled reporters’ notebooks with colorful and outlandish quotes in between puffs on his ever-present cigar.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Love the afro puffs on her, however.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
His bakery specializes in French classics such as puffs from choux pastry, but also unique original creations, including a seasonal series with desserts shaped to look like real fruits.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Students moved from booth to booth sampling everything from Cajun pasta and cheesy enchilada bake to sushi rolls and strawberry pancake puffs.
—Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Customers can expect the brand's beloved scones, cardamom buns, and focaccia on the menu; The San Francisco Standard reports that owner Marisa Williams also plans to start selling guava tarts and apple rhubarb puffs.
—Monica Garske, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
With its telltale cone shape, the northernmost of Sicily's Aeolian Islands is home to a volcano that puffs on a near-constant basis.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2026
But The Bagel Nut Duo, chocolate croissants, yellow sheet cake, and a bag of Cacio e Pepe puffs to eat your feelings about yet another recall.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
The crust puffs up nicely and isn’t as thin and cardboard-y as others, while the white cheese blend and wisp of rosemary remind me of a New York white pie slice.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Feb. 2026
Mia puffs up her body to look intimidating, as the googly-eyed statue stares back at her.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffs
Noun
-
Features like sets of French doors welcome sunlight and coastal breezes.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Sunny skies and mild breezes are enveloping the Pharmalot campus once again.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Good opposing coaches pants him every time (Loyola, of course, being a particularly painful example).—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
On a recent Friday, Bernhardt dressed up, with a cashmere sweater, a pair of baggy, Free People pants, and a pair of Ugg boots.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.—
Kristine Hansen,
Architectural Digest,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The show’s set, designed by Hildegard Bechtler, centers around a panel which features — in bright, yellow lettering — the day and time, taking the audience from Sunday morning to Wednesday evening, when Romeo and Juliet take their final breaths.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Texas fans may have held their collective breaths when senior guard Rori Harmon appeared to hurt her right hand midway through the first quarter.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Deadline journalists sat towards the back of the room said the N-word and other slurs were audible, as were gasps when Davidson made his involuntary tics.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Upon announcing her status as a Faithful, the whole room gasps.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The center also has hydrotherapy chairs where athletes can lie as a jet of water, similar but much stronger than the jets in a jacuzzi, massages them.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Nov. 2025
-
In a viral video shared on Instagram last Sunday under the username @whiskeytoller, the gray kitty can be seen hanging around his brother, Oakley, as his mom massages the injured area, doing his best to show his love and support.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner Allure praises this shampoo and conditioner set from Bumble and Bumble that promises to produce thickness.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Allure praises this shampoo and conditioner set from Bumble and Bumble.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the clip, the crowd applauds Phan's quick thinking for saving the shark's life.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The current governor, Republican Phil Scott, applauds Roy’s interest in politics and public service but questions whether someone so young is ready for the responsibilities that come with running a state.—
Amanda Swinhart,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffs. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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