Definition of stuffnext
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as in material
the basic elements from which something can be developed reading, writing, and arithmetic—the stuff of an education

Synonyms & Similar Words

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stuff

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verb

1
as in to fill
to close up so that no empty spaces remain stuffed the box with tissue paper so the contents wouldn't rattle around

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to gorge
to fill with food to capacity kids who stuff themselves with junk food after school and then don't have any room for supper

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to cram
to fit (people or things) into a tight space stuffed all the kids into the back of the car

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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 stuff
Noun
Kelly delivered a goal-line stuff on a Vikings second-down run in the third quarter. Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 The dish is finished with a blob of caviar—the good stuff, platinum osetra. Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Cowboys stuffed three rushing attempts before a fourth down sack from Isaiah Land. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026 Garry defends takedowns at 80 percent and just stuffed all of Belal Muhammad’s takedowns. Brett Appley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuff
Noun
  • Manchester City’s defence was wide open in Sunday’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and that could be a sign of things to come now that Rodri is playing for Barcelona in La Liga.
    Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And if history is any indication, expect safety Tre’von Moehrig to be in the middle of things when the pads start poppin’ at the Panthers’ joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Jags’ practice facility.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Millions of dollars in agricultural equipment are stored beneath the lower seating bowl.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Hana reported that plainclothes agents confiscated phones and electronic equipment and that Seyedabdollahi was subsequently held in solitary confinement and at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence detention facility in Isfahan.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Emery’s objective will always be the Premier League and achieving Champions League qualification.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Questions about Arday’s qualifications became public last month.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Last week, prosecutors attempted to use electronic materials to lay out their theory that Clancy premeditated killing her three children.
    Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • As the Green Lantern, Hal has the power to create material items through his ring, and acts as an intergalactic space officer protecting humanity from extraterrestrial threats.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Plan ample time before or after a treatment to make good use of the luxurious hot springs here, since this town’s world-famous mineral water is really the essence of your visit.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The scent wraps rose water, Damascena rose essence and absolute, and centifolia rose in soft, sweet notes of green almond, pink raspberry, and a touch of mauve violet.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Gleaming marble basins filled with floating flowers sit comfortably with antique stone tubs that used to hold olive oil back in the day.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • If the market reaches equilibrium, those will need to be filled to prevent the next crisis.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Keep in mind, too, that grouse will gorge themselves on a particular food, especially in the fall.
    Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • America’s Poison Centers’s national helpline receives more than 60,000 calls about possible vitamin poisoning every year, mostly from parents alarmed after their children have accidentally gorged on the chewy sweets.
    Cat Rainsford, Popular Science, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Hundreds of people crammed into the school gym that April evening, and the debate over Point Reyes agitated into a low boil.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Streams of cool kids dressed in all-black tank tops, slip dresses and leather pants crammed into the old town, sipping cocktails as DJs slid faders.
    Kyle MacNeill, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuff. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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