Synonyms of stuff

stuff 1 of 2

noun

ˈstəf 

1

as in qualification

a skill, an ability, or knowledge that makes a person able to do a particular job

a guy who has the stuff it takes to be head of a major corporation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• qualification
• goods
• capability
• expertise
• ability
• talent
• credentials
• aptitude
• knack
• facility
• gift
• capacity
• competence
• flair
• mastery
• competency
• proficiency
• fitness
• know-how
• specialty
• speciality
• potentiality
• faculty
• endowment
• genius
• makings
• command
• forte
• strong suit
• long suit
• suitability
• mastership
• metier
• specialism
• suitableness
• métier

2

as in material

the basic elements from which something can be developed

reading, writing, and arithmetic—the stuff of an education

Synonyms & Similar Words

• material
• potential
• making
• substance
• potentiality
• timber
• raw material
• possibility
• metal
• matter

3

as in essence

the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is

the real stuff of nobility of character isn't riches or a title, but honor and integrity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• essence
• substance
• nature
• soul
• being
• manifestation
• name of the game
• aspect
• core
• heart
• property
• quintessence
• feature
• quiddity
• spirit
• essentiality
• center
• attribute
• pith
• marrow
• incarnation
• keynote
• kernel
• seat
• gist
• personification
• alpha and omega
• embodiment
• epitome
• nub

4

as in things

transportable items that one owns

gather up your stuff so that we can get going

Synonyms & Similar Words

• things
• belongings
• possession
• gear
• goods
• effects
• holdings
• personal property
• personal effects
• paraphernalia
• personalty
• chattels
• moveables
• plunder
• furnishings
• duds
• movables
• treasures
• valuables
• fixtures
• appointments
• property
• collateral
• tangibles
• estate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real estate
• immovables

5

as in equipment

items needed for the performance of a task or activity

missed a great photo opportunity because all of my camera stuff was at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

• equipment
• gear
• material(s)
• kit
• apparatus
• hardware
• facilities
• materiel
• paraphernalia
• accouterments
• machinery
• accoutrements
• tackle
• tools
• matériel
• resources
• baggage
• instruments
• accessories
• fittings
• outfit
• belongings
• battery
• attachments
• appurtenances
• appliances
• apparel
• impedimenta
• trappings
• assets
• attire
• armory
• arsenal
• habiliments
• raiment
• armamentarium

stuff

2 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fill
• pack
• plug
• seal
• block
• dam
• stop
• bung
• close (off)
• jam
• clog
• caulk
• congest
• occlude
• repack
• choke
• clot
• obstruct
• restuff
• chink

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shovel
• hollow (out)
• excavate
• scoop (out)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gorge
• glut
• fill
• surfeit
• feast
• cram
• sate
• gobble
• pig out
• guzzle
• gulp
• regale
• banquet
• gormandize
• cloy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diet
• fast

3

as in to cram

to fit (people or things) into a tight space

stuffed all the kids into the back of the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cram
• squeeze
• load
• jam
• pack
• sandwich
• wedge
• crowd
• ram
• shoehorn
• fill
• heap
• crush
• jam-pack

4

as in to block

to prevent passage through by filling with something

I can't smell anything, as my nose is all stuffed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• block
• obstruct
• jam
• fill
• stop (up)
• flood
• gum (up)
• dam
• clog
• plug (up)
• choke
• pack
• congest
• occlude
• clot
• cork
• fur
• silt
• bung
• gridlock
• overwhelm
• glut
• stopple
• stopper
• swamp
• spile
• inundate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• free
• open (up)
• clear
• unplug
• hollow (out)
• excavate
• scoop (out)
• empty
• unblock
• unstop
• unclog
• lighten

5

as in to pack

to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained

stuffed a whole suitcase with gifts for her relatives in Mexico

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fill
• pack
• load
• cram
• heap
• jam
• brim
• bulk
• refill
• charge
• jam-pack
• flood
• glut
• swamp
• shove
• bloat
• repack
• replenish
• reload
• crowd
• squash
• mat
• drench
• squeeze
• refresh
• ram
• overflow
• penetrate
• saturate
• press
• overcharge
• honeycomb
• crush
• overfill

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• empty
• clear
• void
• evacuate
• vacate
• eliminate
• drain
• draw (off)
• lighten
• exhaust
• clean
• bleed
• sweep
• deplete
• purge
• flush
• scour

Examples of stuff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

All of social media wanted to recommend stuff that was no longer relevant, and the stench of this stale buffet of content lingered long after the non-event had ended. —Lauren Goode, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2024

Through it all, Casa Encantada remains the stuff that dreams are made of. —Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Oct. 2024

Verb

The Death by Gumbo is poured tableside over a whole roasted quail stuffed with oysters and rice. —Aly Walansky, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Authorities have identified a body found stuffed inside a suitcase in Seattle this week as a woman who first went missing in 2023. —Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2024

Phrases Containing stuff

• hot stuff
• kid stuff