WAFT Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

waft 1 of 2

noun

Definition of waft

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

calm

waft

2 of 2

verb

ˈwäft

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

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 waft

Noun

The scents of honey, lavender, patchouli and cedarwood waft through The Hive by Upcycled Candles, as soft alternative rock fills the air. — Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026 Banana pudding wafts with the green vanilla notes of pandan. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026

Verb

No smoke wafting through the parking lots, which included multiple empty sections. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026 Summer is here, your windows are open and the smell wafting in is of…car exhaust and the latest wildfire. — Emily Kwong, NPR, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for waft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waft

Noun

Moving every two hours was a breeze to stick to, but the returns were less impressive.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 14 July 2026
The company's MaonoLink software unlocks additional features to make recording a breeze.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 July 2026

Definition of breeze

Verb

This World Cup has seen the transformation of streets with murals and graffiti, as well as this kite below of Argentina’s jersey that hovers over the streets.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Ajayi, who hovers at 6-foot-7 and weighs 228-pounds, is a massive specimen who can defend multiple positions.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

Definition of hover

Verb

From time to time, Li Shan would offer Noe a sum impressive to a fisherman to sail his lugger—a forty-foot vessel made for the shallower waters of home into the Gulf to meet a ship bound for New Orleans.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Twice England’s post was struck but when Enzo Fernández’s sublime strike sailed past Jordan Pickford in the 85th minute, there only ever felt like one winner.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Definition of sail

Noun

Three of those goals were scored past Iraizoz, the former Athletic Club goalkeeper, including a solo effort in a 2-2 draw at San Mames that still takes your breath away, 13 years later.

— Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Companies are posting record profits and shrinking their management layers in the same breath.

— Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of breath

Verb

For something slower-paced, float the Penticton channel that connects Okanagan and Skaha lakes on tube rafts.

— Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026
Others float slowly just below geostationary orbit, listening to the signals emanating from communications and early warning satellites stationed there.

— Gerry Doyle, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Definition of float

Verb

Microsoft tied itself tightly to OpenAI through a series of investments, but the two companies drifted and became competing with each other after the abrupt 2023 ousting and reinstatement of OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, with little notice to Nadella.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 16 July 2026
On warm Carolina nights in Steele Creek, string lights glow overhead and oldies drift through the speakers.

— Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026

Definition of drift

Verb

There’s still plenty of summer left to spend by the pool or at the beach, and Prime members can save on swimsuits and swim trunks while the sale is live.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026
Also, never swim after drinking alcohol or using marijuana or other substances that can impact alertness.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of swim

Browse Nearby Words

waffling

waft

wafted

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Style

“Waft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waft. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of waft

noun

verb

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