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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stuffy
Our favorite quiet tower fan—perfect for stuffy summer nights—is also part of this sale.
—
Emma Ashe,
The Spruce,
22 June 2026
For a non-stuffy button-down shirt like Kidman’s, this linen option nicely balances a relaxed yet polished look.
—
Caitlyn Fitzpatrick,
PEOPLE,
21 June 2026
But Obama's center projects a younger, hipper, less stuffy vibe than its general ilk.
—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Ornate Pieces While traditional design will always have a place, certain decorative details now feel a bit stuffy.
—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Emma Ashe,
The Spruce,
22 June 2026
For a non-stuffy button-down shirt like Kidman’s, this linen option nicely balances a relaxed yet polished look.
—
Caitlyn Fitzpatrick,
PEOPLE,
21 June 2026
But Obama's center projects a younger, hipper, less stuffy vibe than its general ilk.
—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Ornate Pieces While traditional design will always have a place, certain decorative details now feel a bit stuffy.
—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stuffy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuffy
Adjective
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With the wrap in front of you, fold up the edge closest to you.
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Because wells in the region are large and close to one another, restarting production will require significant coordination across companies and countries to ensure consistent pressure across multiple wells.
Adjective
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Far fewer people stay responsible when the work turns boring, unclear or inconvenient, and that's precisely when ownership surfaces.
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Monocultures can be boring, but on the flipside, a huge collection of individual species looks like a busy bowl of potpourri.
Adjective
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The symptoms are so delayed that people often blame them on food poisoning, irritable-bowel syndrome, gluten intolerance.
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Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
Adjective
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For all the deserved talk about the Knicks’ dynamic offense, the defense has been far more stifling than their reputation suggests.
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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.
Adjective
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The head coach was clumsy in his response, saying — in effect — that the player is better suited to being an impact substitute and taking advantage of tiring opposition defenders.
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The chassis exhibits little flex, the buttons feel crisp and responsive, and the scroll wheel offers enough resistance to feel deliberate without becoming tiring.
Adjective
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Our previous card featured the fiery destruction of the Missouri Pacific depot in 1909.
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And the hottest of the bunch, the green, is a fiery combination of both jalapeños and green habaneros.
Adjective
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The Valkyries won their third straight game, defeating the Sparks 78-58 behind a suffocating defensive performance.
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The Fleet played a suffocating style of hockey, with a strong forecheck and the ability to wear down opponents with relentless offensive-zone pressure.
Adjective
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All 182 guest rooms were given a fresh coat of dusty rose paint, new custom carpet, furniture and upgraded bathrooms.
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At the same time, her eyes were free of the ultimate Millennial marker, winged liner, and colored with a melting pot of brown, bronze and dusty gray shadow, visible in her waterline, too.
Cite this Entry
“Stuffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuffy. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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