waft 1 of 2

noun

Definition of waftnext
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

waft

2 of 2

verb

ˈwäft How to pronounce waft (audio)
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
There were obstacles to women owning a home, having credit in their own name, and taking out loans, so Parton moved like perfume, wafting through the world of men while always doing things her own way. — Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 That kind of tall tale spirit wafted through the air the entire night, says Miller. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for waft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waft
  1. breeze
  2. hover
  3. puff
  4. sail
  5. breath
  6. float
  7. drift
  8. swim
Noun
  • Others are content simply to provoke a few smiles, before dissipating like smoke with the very next breeze.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Massages can be arranged on your private terrace, and the breeze really adds a flair to what is already a restorative experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of breeze
Verb
  • Mayflies hovering around our heads were bound to attract bats, and bats creep me out.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Louise — the presence of her absence — hovers over the wintry landscapes like a figment of loss and guilt.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of hover
Noun
  • In fact, some shoppers admit polishing off the puffs in the parking lot.
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The resulting fire from the crash sent large puffs of black smoke into the air.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of puff
Verb
  • While his first attempt sailed out of the back of the end zone, the second try fell perfectly to wide receiver JJ Buchanan for the walk-off winner.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The 54-suite Orient Express Corinthian features five restaurants under the culinary direction of superstar chef Yannick Alléno, whose restaurants have won multiple Michelin stars, and sails the Med until autumn.
    — Janice Wald Henderson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of sail
Noun
  • Ratledge is looking like an ascending player in his second year, mentioned in the same breath as core players by coach Dan Campbell.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Their disparate worldviews come to bear on an outcome that will leave readers holding their breath in anticipation.
    — Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of breath
Verb
  • And, truth be told, this Philadelphia team has floated relatively under the radar for years because championships weren’t expected.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Coleman fired off the line of scrimmage, running a wheel route when quarterback Cam Miller floated the ball his way.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of float
Verb
  • The Rams did secure one interception on Purdy, when Quentin Lake drifted back into zone and Purdy tried to force a ball to Evans and threw it right at Lake.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The impact jostled loose a few petals before the circle of blossoms slowly drifted away on the luminescent blue Bermudian swells.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of drift
Verb
  • Meteorologists urged beachgoers to only swim near lifeguards and stay off rock jetties.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Winter also brings memorable encounters with whales across Australia, including swimming with dwarf minke whales along the Great Barrier Reef from June through July and spotting migrating humpbacks along the east coast from May through October.
    — Stuart Rigg, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of swim

Browse Nearby Words

waffling
waft
wafted
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Cite this Entry

“Waft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waft. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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