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

Walking through San & Wolves Bakeshop’s doors, you are hit with a waft of sweet air and come face-to-face with a display of pandesal, buns, tarts, cookies, cakes, and more. — Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 30 July 2026 At lunchtime, Bosnian and English bounce between the tables while delicious aromas waft in from the kitchen. — Timothy Depeugh, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Verb

Some will waft across a 2,500-mile path that includes the Plains, Midwest and East as dozens of uncontained fires burn across Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. — Ben Noll, Washington Post, 27 July 2026 The plinking of a piano wafted in from the Music Hall by the water’s edge. — Lila Harron Battis, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for waft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waft

Noun

On hot summer days, that breeze combined with a light sweat is a surprisingly efficient cooling system.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The lack of hills and the first-class bike lane infrastructure make cycling here a breeze.

— Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of breeze

Verb

The overwater bungalows are pretty special, hovering over lapping waves where guests can stay in total peace and solitude.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Parton didn’t stop with Dollywood By the early 1990s, Parton created The Dollywood Foundation with the goal of decreasing the high school drop out rate in Sevier County, which was hovering around 30%.

— Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hover

Noun

Ever since Bram Stoker popularized Count Dracula as a gothic figure of fantasy, the word vampire has been synonymous with undead bloodsuckers who vanish in a puff of smoke in the morning light (if not dazzle a little in the sunshine).

— Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt and stir just until mixture puffs and slightly lightens in color.

— Ellary Collins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of puff

Verb

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Nvidia had already reported results that sailed past estimates by the time CFO Colette Kress came into the earnings call with a stunning forecast for next year.

— Kif Leswing, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Milton, though, was flushed from the pocket, and a late throw to Brown sailed out of bounds.

— Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sail

Noun

Yet Parton masterfully stayed out of every fight in the culture wars, preaching love, philanthropy, mentorship and tolerance until her dying breath.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Perhaps a soldier took his last breath beneath its canopy, watering its roots with his blood.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of breath

Verb

Interesting Engineering has previously reported how floating power plants are powering vast areas in Russia by connecting to the local grid.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Videos of the flooding obtained by ABC News show a roaring Colorado River as mudflows and debris from metal structures are seen floating down the river.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of float

Verb

Closer to home, Roman will monitor small variations in light from stars near the center of the Milky Way galaxy in order to infer the presence of rogue planets drifting between the stars.

— Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
The other was drifting toward akolasia without noticing the drift.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of drift

Browse Nearby Words

waffling

waft

wafted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Waft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waft. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of waft

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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