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

Spritz it in the morning and prepare for subtle, spa-like wafts of forest floor throughout the day. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026 Nearby, the scents of carne asada and carnitas waft out of taquerias, inviting those nearby to stop in for a meal. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Verb

Just then, the strains of a familiar song wafted across the store, and Valencia and Zegarra followed it, past a Lightning McQueen replica, to a tiny area where a half-dozen child-size chairs were arranged before a screen. — Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile top women’s seed Aryna Sabalenka complained when the smell of marijuana wafted from crowd to court. — Greg Cote september 6, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for waft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waft

Noun

Cool Pacific breezes and a variety of soils make this stretch of Northern California a perfect place to grow grapes.

— Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
The Delta region, Sacramento included, can rejoice in the Delta breeze being a consistent feature through the week, offering some reprieve from the stubborn summer afternoon heat.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of breeze

Verb

After lingering over spaghetti alle vongole at Ristorante Lido Azzurro, which hovers over the sea near Amalfi’s harbor, zip around the coast to sea caverns and grottos, pausing for dips in secluded spots away from the crowds.

— Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
Yields on Japan’s 10-year bonds rose to their highest level in three decades, while US Treasury yields hovered above 5%, a level not seen since the 2007 financial crisis, helping push American mortgage rates to more than 7%.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of hover

Noun

This floral blouse screams fall with whimsical puff sleeves, ruffle details, and, of course, rich autumnal hues.

— Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Fleece rugbies are on offer alongside Denali full- and half-zips, and big puff is accounted for through a Pertex Nuptse.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of puff

Verb

For longtime fans of the brand, Ponant is a reliably luxe way to sail expedition-style to adventurous destinations—though as one fellow traveler and repeat guest pointed out to me, several other cruise lines now offer this once-rare combination.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
The family sailed on the Lusitania in 1914, a year before a German torpedo sank the ship and killed nearly twelve hundred people.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of sail

Noun

Heti stared at the drawing in front of her and muttered whatever under her breath.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
These comparisons are essential to Da Corte, who has a radical notion that Lichtenstein can, and should, be thought of in the same breath as the Pictures Generation.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of breath

Verb

Wrapped in a tough, drop-proof fabric shell that floats and shrugs off water, it is engineered to survive real-world chaos.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
The project will combine an electric workboat, a 40-kilowatt fast charger, and a mobile floating energy storage system called ChargeBarge.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of float

Verb

Unfortunately, over the decades, the program has drifted wildly off course.

— Christina Smith, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026
Attempt techniques like progressive muscle relaxation and body scans, box breathing, or even picturing your thoughts as clouds that are drifting away.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of drift

Verb

Jetta was trained to swim to the pool’s edge three times a day and inhale deeply through the nebulizer, which was crafted specially for a beluga blowhole.

— Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
More energetic outdoor activities include swimming in the saltwater pool, walking or jogging on the Deck 15 track, paddle tennis, golf cages, and a mini-golf course.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of swim

Browse Nearby Words

waffling

waft

wafted

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Waft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waft. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of waft

noun

verb

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