as in breeze
a slight or gentle movement of air
wafts carrying the scent of spring flowers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
a feather wafted past us and settled on the grass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waft
Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The days get shorter, a cold chill moves through the air, string lights sparkle in your neighborhood, a faint waft of pine floats your way, and inexplicably Kevin Spacey appears to do an odd bit of press.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2025
Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Police tape cordoned off the building; a small stream of smoke wafted from the charred roof of the facility.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for waft
Noun
Artisanal, electric energy has occupied the grand bones of this intoxicating city, with young creatives animating the unbuttoned cafés and bars filling its old town’s squares—the air always hot and heavy with wafts of arancini and zucchini fritti.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The days get shorter, a cold chill moves through the air, string lights sparkle in your neighborhood, a faint waft of pine floats your way, and inexplicably Kevin Spacey appears to do an odd bit of press.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2025
Verb
Just imagine the smell of apples, cinnamon, and warm baked bread wafting throughout the house.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Police tape cordoned off the building; a small stream of smoke wafted from the charred roof of the facility.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for waft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waft
Noun
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The island’s breezes are perfect for kitesurfing, while water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing are popular activities as well.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
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Forecasters said breezes with gusts from 25 mph to 30 mph early Tuesday would precede the cold.—
David Staats,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Savannah is a city fixated on its ghosts, whether in the form of a hovering spirit or the weight of a rich, complicated history that seems to drape everything like Spanish moss.—
Adam Kuehl,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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The bulk of the movie is set in intake rooms where potential patients are evaluated by medical professionals; hovering over their questioning is the possibility of patients’ involuntary hospitalization, whether for observation, protection, or treatment.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The premise comes with two prime marks built-in — gambling in professional sports and puff-piece documentary profiles — plus the genre offers its own satiric opportunities.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
23 Feb. 2026
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At first, this may seem like your ordinary cheese puff, but as the flavors build on your palate, there’s a hint of pepper that emerges, giving it that iconic cacio e pepe flavor.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The fleet comprises aging vessels and tankers owned by nontransparent entities with addresses in non-sanctioning countries, and sailing under flags from such countries.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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There’s a superb jazz festival in mid-June too; so while the town may be a favorite with yacht owners sailing here from Nice, Calvi itself remains humble, curious and just about the finest place in France to settle in for the day with a glass of local Muscat and a view of mountain and ocean.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Consistent with the rest of the hotel, the local landscape is incorporated into the design experience; there are local gems displayed in the waiting area, and the lobby has a giant window that frames a peak of the nearby Shawangunk Mountains that took my breath away.—
Katie Mathews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Feb. 2026
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After a tense moment and several compressions, the baby took its first breath, filling the car with relief and gratitude.—
CBS News Atlanta Staff,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After two timeouts, Dent took the inbound on the left side of the court and drove the length of the floor before floating underneath 7-foot-2 Illinois center Zvonimir Ivisic to hit the game-winning layup.—
Sean Campbell,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Rainbow Springs State Park’s sapphire-blue waters well up from the earth with startling clarity, a living force that has drawn people here for thousands of years—from the Timucua who once gathered along its banks to modern-day visitors floating quietly above the headsprings.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The former consultant and Harvard Business School graduate saw an industry where price and value were drifting apart, so set out to build a handbag brand rooted in accessibility.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2026
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Swirling dust, burning trees, thick smoke and drifting embers heighten the danger, while firsthand accounts layered emotional tension.—
Daron James,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The lagoon-life is out of this world, and swimming with sharks is one of the highlights of my trip (slash my entire life).—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
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When the two swimmers clashed again in the 500 freestyle, defending champion of the event Farlow swam out to a near three-second lead at one point.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waft. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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