puff 1 of 2

noun

Definition of puffnext
as in breeze
a slight or gentle movement of air felt a puff of wind on his face

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

puff

2 of 2

verb

ˈpəf How to pronounce puff (audio)
1
as in to gasp
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty he came running up the stairs puffing and wheezing

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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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 puff
Noun
There’s a sudden sound like shattering glass and a puff of gray material to the right side of the frame. — Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 The desserts are old-fashioned: allspice cake, French lady cake, lemon puffs, boiled berry pudding. — Neda Ulaby, NPR, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
Most players on the list below are attacking wingers or centre-forwards, showing how much Bellingham, often viewed as a midfielder, has puffed his chest out to be the game-changer when his team require it. — Mark Carey, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025 Listen to this article Damien Terrazas remembers how his mother’s face puffed up the first time her boyfriend hit her. — Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 9 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for puff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puff
  1. breeze
  2. gasp
  3. stroke
  4. breath
  5. pant
  6. honey
  7. massage
  8. congratulate
Noun
  • Pairing it with the console was a breeze, but connectivity to a PC proved a real sticking point.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The stainless steel exterior keeps beverages cold for a whopping 24 hours, and a convenient carrying loop makes toting this bottle through the airport a breeze while also keeping it easily accessible.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of breeze
Verb
  • Menendez brothers' cousin 'gasped in relief' to learn Newsom is addressing clemency request After Jose and Kitty Menendez were fatally shot, the brothers allegedly shot them again in the kneecaps to try to make the slayings look like a gang shooting, Hochman said.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The partygoers gasped and laughed as Tarek paddled to the edge of the pool’ while Christina and Heather hugged each other on the sidelines.
    — Moná Thomas, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of gasp
Verb
  • Once, at a zoo, she and her children had been invited to stroke a boa constrictor.
    — Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
  • On the ensuing point, Medvedev ended a rally by stroking a two-handed backhand wide, bringing Tien to match point.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Definition of stroke
Noun
  • Going through a divorce is like holding your breath.
    — Giana Levy, refinery29.com, 10 Mar. 2025
  • With Gerrit Cole’s elbow an issue for the second straight spring, the Yankees are holding their collective breath.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of breath
Verb
  • While in its kennel, a dog may pant more, lick its lips more often, or freeze, resembling a statue.
    — Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Pay attention for signs of distress: panting, drooling, a high heart rate, dry nose, lethargy, or even vomiting, staggering or seizures.
    — Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of pant
Verb
  • 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
  • Enjoy flavored nuts, such as those that are candied, glazed, or honied, in moderation.
    — Selene Yeager, Health, 24 Feb. 2024
Definition of honey
Verb
  • Then, after massaging her arm, the man put it back down on the bed and rubbed her hand along his body.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2025
  • James applies it directly onto the scalp after shampooing and conditioning, lifting hair section by section, gently giving hair a little shake to disperse it and then massaging it in with fingers.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of massage
Verb
  • And once again, his mom was first to congratulate him.
    — Clare Fisher, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The monarch, wearing a red tie and an Order of Canada lapel pin, congratulated Carney on his recent victory.
    — Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of congratulate

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“Puff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puff. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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