huff 1 of 2

noun

Definition of huffnext
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

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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
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

huff

2 of 2

verb

ˈhəf How to pronounce huff (audio)
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 huff
Noun
Secondary recovery includes waterflooding or gas injection which includes huff-and-puff mode. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026 As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Nov. 2025
Verb
In general, bears show agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their teeth. — ABC News, 28 May 2026 Only after sunrise did people dare to leave their homes, and by then a ferocious fire was huffing thick plumes of smoke over the city. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for huff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for huff
  1. fuss
  2. scene
  3. anger
  4. rave
  5. sweat
  6. fit
  7. exasperation
  8. rant
Noun
  • Two players who wanted out had got their wish with minimal fuss, but the same could not be said of Guimaraes.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The time has finally come for Georgia inside linebacker Justin Williams to show what all that recruiting fuss was about.
    — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • There’s no denying that the fall 2026 runways made a strong case for color; even the street style scene is on board, slipping into colorful shoes and sporting handbags in a variety of vibrant shades—baby pink, chartreuse, and cobalt.
    — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Fort Worth Fire Department provided medical aid, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of scene
Noun
  • Wiley agreed to spend 15 days in jail and one year on probation, pay a $1,040 fine, take an anger management course and have no contact with the victim.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • It eventually was dismissed, but Myers’ anger didn’t subside.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • My son raved about a show of card tricks performed by an Australian magician named James Galea (the fact that he was selected to participate in one helped).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Payton raved about him this spring, but he’s missed all of camp with lower-body injuries.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rave
Noun
  • My usual deodorant has stopped working, and my sweat suddenly smells different or much stronger than before.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This 45 percent-off unisex sweatshirt is a great outer layer paired with a $13 tank that is both durable and sweat-wicking.
    — Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of sweat
Noun
  • The Tommy Hilfiger partnership felt to Kelce like a natural fit.
    — Nick Remsen, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The new offer hinges on five core fits for men and women, each with multiple washes and a focus on consistency across categories.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of fit
Noun
  • That in turn has prompted exasperation from some officials and Pacific-watchers at the prospect of another summit overshadowed by rivalry between non-member countries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Zilisch’s exasperation reached a boiling point last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of exasperation
Verb
  • Comedian Matt Matthews recently ranted about pronouns, gender identity, and the LGBTQ community.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Aug. 2026
  • So Republicans are desperate for something, anything, anyone — a fall guy, a scapegoat — to rant against, whip up the Republican base against, and raise money for their fall campaigns.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rant

Phrases Containing huff

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huff
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Cite this Entry

“Huff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/huff. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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