as in breeze
a slight or gentle movement of air
felt a puff of wind on his face
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to stroke
to praise too much
a talk show host who can be counted on to puff up the celebrities who readily consent to be interviewed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of puff
Ian Austen, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
The film begins with nightmarish images of elephants striking down Merrick’s mother, followed by Merrick’s birth, which is represented, like so many important moments in Lynch’s work, abstractly: a puff of white smoke.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2025
Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Dark gray smoke puffed into the sky behind him as Tiptoe the African sulcata tortoise crunched on the green lawn beneath him.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for puff 
Noun
Home security-camera footage shows a puff of smoke, along with the sound of an explosion, as a meteorite lands in Charlottetown.
—Ian Austen, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
The film begins with nightmarish images of elephants striking down Merrick’s mother, followed by Merrick’s birth, which is represented, like so many important moments in Lynch’s work, abstractly: a puff of white smoke.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
One of my downstairs neighbors was stunned to see her inhale from an oxygen tank one moment and puff on a cigarette the next.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Dark gray smoke puffed into the sky behind him as Tiptoe the African sulcata tortoise crunched on the green lawn beneath him.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for puff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puff
Noun
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Usually, the salty breeze brought with it the sounds of baby elephant seals calling to their moms in high pitched yells.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2025
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Reigning world champion Thierry Neuville hit a patch of ice going into one hairpin and ripped the suspension off his car, limping back to the service park with a wheel dangling in the breeze.—
Raphael Orlove,
Robb Report,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Followers of the Ferrari market have likely gasped at the premiums paid for six-speed versions of 21st-century models typically equipped with the F1 transmission, such as the 575M Maranello or 599 GTB.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2025
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Is your computer gasping for breath, drowning in a sea of photos, documents and random downloads?—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The team demonstrated the robotic arm both gently stroking an egg (without the HeTRM) and cracking the shell (with the HeTRM).—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
29 Jan. 2025
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In the video, Linn holds Willow in her arms, scratches behind his ears and strokes his face.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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As one of the country’s top five most biodiverse states, Alabama’s great outdoors offer not only a breath of fresh air and beautiful views aplenty, but also a chance to get acquainted with a huge range of biomes and species.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2025
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Before the Swedes had caught their breath, Canada’s bananas top power-play unit had snapped the puck around until MacKinnon drained a Sidney Crosby cross-crease dish.—
Arpon Basu,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Phoebe, our dog, was panting, nervous, and running in circles around Dave.—
Claire Cameron,
Outside Online,
3 Feb. 2025
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The Pomeranians, Noel and Xena (named for the warrior princess, naturally), were maybe a bit too eager, panting in the arms of their mother, Cathy, president of the American Pomeranian Club, who was wearing a Chanel-reminiscent metallic tweed newsboy cap.—
Chloe Malle,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2024
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Enjoy flavored nuts, such as those that are candied, glazed, or honied, in moderation.—
Selene Yeager,
Health,
24 Feb. 2024
Verb
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The package will include a 60-minute couples massage with a choice of a complimentary enhancement, such as aromatherapy, hand & foot massage or a scalp massage.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes,
12 Feb. 2025
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Do not massage shampoo into the whole length of your hair, as this can lead to dryness and frizziness.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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While the stadium hardly reacted to Hopkins' touchdown, the Eagles players and staff on the sidelines (and the fans in the stands) were already congratulating each other with high fives and hugs.—
Alex Ross,
People.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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Imagine receiving a message from your supervisor congratulating you on your recent promotion.—
Andrew Brodsky,
TIME,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near puff
Cite this Entry
“Puff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puff. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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