1
as in close
lacking fresh air
the house was very stuffy after being closed up for a month
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of stuffy
No formal, stuffy tuxedos here—just the coolest textured jacket thrown over a shirtdress and boots for the coolest, wear-anywhere outfit.
—
Gena Kaufman, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026
The side-slit hem and v-neckline add just enough interest, while the breathable knit keeps it from feeling stuffy on warmer afternoons.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2026
The melodramatic proceedings are too stuffy and bloated to make much of an impact.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Symptoms of the Cicada variant are similar to other COVID-19 infections and can include runny or stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat, coughing and changes to sense of smell or taste.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Gena Kaufman, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026
The side-slit hem and v-neckline add just enough interest, while the breathable knit keeps it from feeling stuffy on warmer afternoons.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2026
The melodramatic proceedings are too stuffy and bloated to make much of an impact.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Symptoms of the Cicada variant are similar to other COVID-19 infections and can include runny or stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat, coughing and changes to sense of smell or taste.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuffy
Adjective
-
Xi said China and Russia need to use closer and stronger strategic collaboration to defend the legitimate interests of both nations and safeguard the unity of Global South countries, the state broadcaster CCTV reported.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, the dispatcher works on alerting one of the 17 closest fire stations.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Pickled onions add a bright acidity, and everything gets tossed in barbecue sauce for a sweet and savory salad that’s anything but boring.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Pastas and Grains Similar to powdered laundry detergent, pastas and grains have packaging that's dull, boring, and bulky.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps through feeling more irritable, more anxious, or wanting to isolate.—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Had my symptoms maybe been put down to irritable bowel, for example, that could’ve been ongoing and ongoing and ongoing for a much longer period of time.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Her mother, who had a staid upbringing in California, came to New York in the early sixties looking for someplace more diverse and less stifling.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Flimsy nozzles crack and leak, and heavy-duty nozzles get tiring to hold when your garden calls for more watering time than your hands can handle.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Swift herself talked about how tiring the tour was and what her plans for the future were last October on BBC Radio 1 with Greg James.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The fiery lawmaker, who leads the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, was charged alongside his bodyguards Anton Snyman, after the video of the incident went viral.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Mercury in your sign is lined up with Neptune, while your ruler fiery Mars gets a boost from Pluto.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Georgia will surely be ready and focused on its home floor following two consecutive losses, but Bucky Ball and its suffocating style from a fresh A&M team will be too much for the Bulldogs.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
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Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Darnold, Mike Macdonald and a suffocating defense have led the Seahawks to the big stage for the fourth time in franchise history.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Robert Pattinson jumped on the dusty-pink trend, strapping on a Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Chronograph Moon with a copper-colored dial for the New York premiere of The Drama.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2026
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Across the river in Mexico, men hawk rides in their dusty pick-ups, on horseback or by donkey, to take tourists three-quarters of a mile up a dirt road.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stuffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuffy. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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