WAFTS Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

wafts 1 of 2

noun

plural of waft

as in breezes

a slight or gentle movement of air wafts carrying the scent of spring flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

calms

wafts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of waft

as in hovers

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 wafts

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 In one image, a young sitter with the Arabic word for ‘justice’ painted on her cheek gazes sensuously into the camera, while flooding the frame with wafts of smoke. — Michael-Oliver Harding, CNN Money, 28 July 2026 The scent of burning resin wafts through the air, and ambient music follows you around the property, matching the vibe of the day from sunrise to sunset. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026 According to British Vogue, Kate arranged for wafts of Orange Blossom candles to fill the air of Westminster Abbey on her big day. — Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026 Banana pudding wafts with the green vanilla notes of pandan. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026 Losing the Great Salt Lake would therefore have dire economic consequences for the region, in addition to health threats as dust laden with heavy metals wafts off the lake bed and into neighborhoods. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026 Lemongrass wafts off a dish of lobster two ways. — Restaurant Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Dec. 2025 The scent of shorn wood, metal and instant coffee wafts through the air. — Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025

Verb

From the big room beyond, where men are working with chisels and planes, wafts a powerful smell of wood glue. — Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026 On sunny days, the ocean breeze wafts off the beach and through the loungers and cabanas set just back from the sand. — Tim Chester, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026 The sugary aroma wafts down Main Street, where artisans continue the century-old tradition of pouring, paddling, and slicing molten fudge into glossy, irresistible bricks. — Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025 Yes, everyone’s favorite subject on this very hot New York City day the trash smell wafts up to us. — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wafts

Noun

Once glass was more widely produced in the 19th century thanks to industrialization, architects began placing windows at either end of rooms to allow for cooling cross breezes.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026
The sandy shores of Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach are about 20 minutes away, but afternoons on the porch, appreciating the breezes that come in off the Winyah Bay and the connecting rivers, are just as peaceful.

— Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of breezes

Verb

As the Kimballs attempt to raise a ransom to get back their son, Gillian Anderson enters as a fixer, while Steven Yeun hovers as the political candidate’s campaign manager.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Okemo hovers just above Ludlow center, in the winter outlines of trails stand out clear and white.

— Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of hovers

Noun

Low-Fiber Breakfast Cereals Many cold cereals are made from refined grains that are processed into small flakes or puffs.

— Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 19 Aug. 2026
Their new peanut puffs, which come in both original peanut butter and peanut butter and strawberry variations, are our team’s current obsession.

— Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of puffs

Verb

But as Ravyn Lenae floats into the midtown Manhattan studio on the release day of her third studio album, her energy creates a temporary oasis.

— Sidney Madden, VIBE.com, 19 Aug. 2026
The massive, 171-foot-tall (52 meters) spacecraft now floats just offshore of Christmas Island, awaiting inspection.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of floats

Verb

The topic momentarily drifts to Chuck D, who Hanna greatly admires.

— Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 18 Aug. 2026
Giulio, a dissatisfied 16-year-old, drifts through life with no enthusiasm for his education or his future, much to his family’s dismay (particularly his endlessly frustrated mother, brilliantly played by Monica Bellucci).

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of drifts

Browse Nearby Words

wafting

wafts

wag

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wafts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wafts. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of wafts

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

southpaw

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes