1
as in close
lacking fresh air
the house was very stuffy after being closed up for a month
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
nothing stuffy about this science museum—it's all interactive and fun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
those nursing home residents with a reputation for being chronically stuffy were usually the last to receive attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 stuffy
But that doesn’t mean you’ll be wrapped up in stuffy fabrics that don’t speak to your bedroom’s design.
—
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
But awards voters who snipe at talent anonymously in trade publications enjoy the stuffy, demure rhetoric the Marty machine largely ignored.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Instead of helping a room feel inviting, window treatments that are way too dressy can feel stuffy and outdated.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
Is the air in your home feeling stuffy, dusty, or irritating?
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
But awards voters who snipe at talent anonymously in trade publications enjoy the stuffy, demure rhetoric the Marty machine largely ignored.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Instead of helping a room feel inviting, window treatments that are way too dressy can feel stuffy and outdated.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
Is the air in your home feeling stuffy, dusty, or irritating?
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuffy
Adjective
-
In recent years, Rivkin has formed a close bond with Olga Smirnova, a clinical social worker who visits him weekly through a home-visit program run by Maimonides Medical Center.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Mémoires Colorées was born out of Patrick Frey’s (who currently helms Pierre Frey) close friendship with Belgian artist and paper sculptor Isabelle de Borchgrave.—
Stephanie Sporn,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Shopping on a budget doesn't have to be boring.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
For the boring old textbook reason of shifting interest rate differentials.—
Kelly Evans,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
On the contrary, Juventus’ football soothed even the most irritable sections of the crowd.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
This can include feeling irritable, having a low frustration tolerance, feeling easily overstimulated, and having rapid shifts in emotion.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
When Jensen was tiring of running her own business, her little brother did her the same favor of helping her land a job with the cannabis dispensary From The Earth at their Brookside location, where she was quickly hired and loved by her coworkers.—
PJ Green
January 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Although Richardson has only appeared in 25 of the 36 contests so far in his rookie campaign, the near first-half of his first year as a professional has been tiring for the 20-year-old who’s continued to adjust to his new life in Orlando.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rooted in their culture that values family, friendships and loyalty above everything else, emotions often take over as these fiery personalities navigate their highs, lows and everything in between.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The necklace is a symbol of Taylor's fiery love story with Richard Burton.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
After the 49ers’ explosive offense was dominated by Seattle in Week 18, what buttons can coach Kyle Shanahan press to create some offense against a suffocating Seahawks defense?—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Those laughs are balanced with real world issues, and a longing for these gentlewomen locked into the suffocating zeitgeist of early 1800s British Regency.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
These findings suggest that strong, organized magnetic fields may have been common in the early universe, especially in dusty starburst galaxies like Arp 220's ancient counterparts.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These Cabernets often deliver bold black currant, plum, and dark chocolate flavors, layered with savory iron, dusty spice, herbs, and mineral notes.—
Liz Thach,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
After a few breathless seconds, the man regains his composure.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In the minute-long spot, Scott commands a room of soldiers — among them Tom Holland’s Telemachus and Jon Bernthal’s Menelaus — before launching into a breathless retelling of Odysseus, the Trojan War and the infamous trick that brought Troy down.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stuffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuffy. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
