Synonyms of huff

huff 1 of 2

noun

1

as in fuss

a state of nervous or irritated concern

was in a huff because everyone was running late and the school bus would stop to pick them up in a matter of minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fuss
• sweat
• panic
• tizzy
• fret
• fluster
• dither
• lather
• stew
• pother
• dudgeon
• swivet
• twitter
• swelter
• pique
• hysteria
• agitation
• bother
• delirium
• alarm
• ado
• alarum
• hand-wringing
• nervous breakdown
• uproar
• furor
• distraction

2

as in scene

an outburst or display of excited anger

gets all in a huff every time anyone makes the slightest criticism

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scene
• fit
• outburst
• explosion
• reaction
• frenzy
• tantrum
• rage
• fireworks
• hysteria
• hissy fit
• seizure
• fury
• hissy
• blowup
• storm
• agitation
• upheaval
• distraction
• indignation
• eruption
• rampage
• pouts
• temper
• wrath
• spasm
• uproar
• furore
• ire
• delirium
• snit
• paroxysm
• furor
• rise
• choler
• spleen
• flare-up
• angriness
• sulkiness
• dander
• convulsion(s)
• pet
• sullenness
• wrathfulness
• lividity
• grouch
• lividness
• hump
• irateness
• sulk(s)

3

as in anger

the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity

left the restaurant in a huff after waiting 15 minutes to be seated

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anger
• offence
• exasperation
• frustration
• indignation
• umbrage
• dudgeon
• irritation
• resentment
• annoyance
• pique
• displeasure
• miff
• peeve
• discomfort
• outrage
• upset
• offense
• indignity
• grief
• ire
• perturbation
• agitation
• distress
• insult
• angriness
• tantrum
• pouts
• tizzy
• aggravation
• vexation
• dander
• bother
• temper
• disturbance
• slight
• slap
• pet
• affront
• slur
• barb
• irateness
• botheration
• sulk(s)
• fit
• brickbat
• dig
• put-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfaction
• appeasement
• pleasure
• delight
• pacification
• happiness
• contentment
• gratification
• mollification

huff

2 of 2

verb

ˈhəf 

as in to rave

to talk loudly and wildly

demanding to speak to the manager, he huffed about the rudeness of the sales assistant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rave
• rant
• bluster
• fulminate
• rage
• blow
• spout
• storm
• speak out
• speak up
• harangue
• sound off
• blare
• mouth (off)
• declaim
• pontificate
• bolt
• blurt (out)
• bloviate
• orate
• carry on
• take on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• murmur
• mutter
• whisper
• breathe
• grunt
• slur

Synonym Chooser

How is the word huff distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of huff are dudgeon, offense, pique, resentment, and umbrage. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

Where would dudgeon be a reasonable alternative to huff?

Although the words dudgeon and huff have much in common, dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When is offense a more appropriate choice than huff?

While in some cases nearly identical to huff, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When can pique be used instead of huff?

The synonyms pique and huff are sometimes interchangeable, but pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

When might resentment be a better fit than huff?

In some situations, the words resentment and huff are roughly equivalent. However, resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

In what contexts can umbrage take the place of huff?

The words umbrage and huff are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of huff

Noun

To experience all three—plus a wine tasting after a heart-pumping, 316-stair huff to the top of Tour Philippe le Bon—book The Treats of Dijon excursion on France’s new food trail, La Vallée De La Gastronomie, that runs from Marseille to Dijon. —Lanee Lee, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Jan. 2023

Feel free to let out a disappointed huff as the episode concludes. —Vulture, 21 Dec. 2023

Verb

Out front, Pastor Rodney Freeman and several volunteers — bundled up in thick winter coats, huffing out little clouds of breath — rush to set up the Bountiful Blessings food pantry. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2025

That’s also why his obsessive huffing on a locket holding a lock of hair from Lily-Rose Depp’s Ellen, the woman he’s been obsessed with since her youth, is so unexpectedly funny. —Vulture Staff, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024

Phrases Containing huff

• in a huff