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
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Recent Examples of stuffy
The dining rooms are very pretty – especially in winter when the fireplaces roar – but far from stuffy, and the bar room is one of the neighborhood’s coziest spots to sip, snack and savor.
—
Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The antithesis of a stuffy, traditional dining room, the relaxed dining area is perfect for casual meals or cooking sessions with parents and kids.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
Owner Kevin Timmons — who also owns local chain Nick & Jake’s — wants the space to be a go-to date-night spot, without all the marble and brass of stuffier options.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026
Over time, especially in a hot and stuffy attic, cardboard boxes weaken, absorb moisture, and can attract pests who see it as an easy snack or a place to nest.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The antithesis of a stuffy, traditional dining room, the relaxed dining area is perfect for casual meals or cooking sessions with parents and kids.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
Owner Kevin Timmons — who also owns local chain Nick & Jake’s — wants the space to be a go-to date-night spot, without all the marble and brass of stuffier options.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026
Over time, especially in a hot and stuffy attic, cardboard boxes weaken, absorb moisture, and can attract pests who see it as an easy snack or a place to nest.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuffy
Adjective
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Another category that would likely unnerve boards of directors, according to Minow, is close ties with Epstein following his controversial 2008 guilty plea to procuring a minor for prostitution.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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With Jackson’s death Tuesday, leaders across the region reflected on a legacy that helped shape a generation of local activism and public service — none more so than Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a close friend for more than five decades.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The boring lunch ends boringly, with the women sipping their champagne in silence, tucking into their salads, and ignoring the commemorative glasses that no one wanted.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
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This sounds like a boring event but the boys turn the act of breaking up ice or sleet sheets from the sidewalk into a hockey-like competition.—
Caleb Harris,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Lack of sleep can lead to a range of problems, including feeling more irritable.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
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On the contrary, Juventus’ football soothed even the most irritable sections of the crowd.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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It's been a cold, tiring week, but the light at the end of the tunnel that is a Saturday at Ikea picking out lamp shades is finally within sight.—
Joe Mutascio,
IndyStar,
6 Feb. 2026
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But studies have also shown that consuming caffeine before a mentally tiring task reduces the feeling of cognitive fatigue.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The footage shows members of the divided House Targaryen going into battle, with plenty of fiery dragon action.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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Where was my fiery disdain when ICE invaded (and is still invading) Portland, Chicago, and Los Angeles last year?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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This one, in a dusty olive green, has a high pile texture and subtle geometric design for the right amount of visual interest.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
13 Feb. 2026
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Mattresses and questionably clean bedding were dredged up, dusty couches cleared of detritus.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Casting two of the most smoldering contemporary actors on the planet clearly stacks the deck, and carries on the long tradition of pairing a dashing figure of brooding handsomeness (Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes) with a breathless screen beauty (Merle Oberon, Juliette Binoche).—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
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This slow, visible retreat of ice colors every breathless hike, every chilly swim, every preposterously pretty train ride.—
Alice Gregory,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stuffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuffy. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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