1
: a blow especially with the hand
2
: something that strikes with telling force
buffeted; buffeting; buffets
1
: to strike sharply especially with the hand : cuff
2
: to strike repeatedly : batter
the waves buffeted the shore
3
: to drive, force, move, or attack by or as if by repeated blows
schools being buffeted by budget cuts
: to make one's way especially under difficult conditions
plural buffets
1
furniture
: sideboard sense 1
2
a
: a counter for refreshments
went back to the buffet for a second helping
b
chiefly British
: a restaurant operated as a public convenience (as in a railway station)
c
: a meal set out on a buffet or table for ready access and informal service
a restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet
3
: an assortment of options or offerings : variety
Once you're up there among the clouds, you'll have a buffet of skiing options.—
Brad Wetzler
Brad Wetzler
: served informally especially as a buffet (see buffet entry 3 sense 2c)
a buffet meal
buffet luncheons
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Verb
- bash
- baste
- bat
- batter
- beat
- belabor
- belt
- birch
- bludgeon
- bung up
- club
- curry
- do
- drub
- fib [British]
- flog
- hammer
- hide
- lace
- lambaste
- lambast
- lash
- lather
- lick
- maul
- mess (up)
- paddle
- pelt
- pommel
- pound
- pummel
- punch out
- rough (up)
- slate
- slog
- switch
- tan
- thrash
- thresh
- thump
- tromp
- wallop
- whale
- whip
- whop
- whap
- whup
- work over
Noun (2)
Examples of buffet in a Sentence
Noun (1)
delivered a powerful buffet to the side of the prisoner's head
Verb
The strong winds buffeted the ship.
fierce winds buffeted the small sailboat
Noun (2)
a buffet completed the kitchen set
Recent Examples on the Web
David Nikel, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
The Basin Restaurant This full-service restaurant is situated near the end of the Main Trail at the base of the Monastery and has a daily lunch buffet packed with salads, pasta, and more.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2024
Jane Ho, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
His security forces sought to crush a mass protest movement demanding democratic reforms as the Arab Spring buffeted the region.
—Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2024
Julian Kheel, CNN Underscored, 1 June 2020
See all Example Sentences for buffet 
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.
Noun
The ship avoids the traditional main dining room and buffet setup, instead offering a choice of around 20 dining venues.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
The Basin Restaurant This full-service restaurant is situated near the end of the Main Trail at the base of the Monastery and has a daily lunch buffet packed with salads, pasta, and more.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
The decline was largely due to an adjustment in the valuation of his geothermal energy firm Barito Renewables Energy, which has been buffeted by stock volatility.
—Jane Ho, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
His security forces sought to crush a mass protest movement demanding democratic reforms as the Arab Spring buffeted the region.
—Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Customers can expect to see non-buffet-style food options, and social distancing will likely require a reduction in the number of people allowed in the usually crowded lounges.
—Julian Kheel, CNN Underscored, 1 June 2020
See all Example Sentences for buffet
Dictionary Entries Near buffet
Cite this Entry
“Buffet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buffet. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share