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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
This floral blouse screams fall with whimsical puff sleeves, ruffle details, and, of course, rich autumnal hues. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Mamma’s chole, or chickpeas, become intensely infused, served with a golden puff of crispy poori bread, the recipe adapted from Sukhu Kalra’s mother, Virender Kaur. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
Ever since the German medical scientist Franz Hermann Müller published solid evidence of a link between smoking and lung cancer in 1939, the health risks of puffing on tobacco have only become clearer. — Mike McRae 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026 Wind would blow the trees against the windows and the humidifier would puff and David would deteriorate in his little slice of existence, running out the clock there on the very edge of other people’s real lives. — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026 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
  • Our sunny afternoon lunch featured fresh seafood and bright, flavorful pasta, paired with a crisp white wine from the hotel’s winery and a late-summer breeze shaking the trees overhead.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The breeze will start to build in, and high temperatures will rise into the mid- to upper 80s on Saturday and Sunday.
    — Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of breeze
Verb
  • Advertisement Tell your doctor about the pauses, gasping, and any daytime sleepiness.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Abrams does yeoman’s work with a character stuck in a tight spot for most of the running time, constantly grunting and gasping with a mixture of anguish and exhaustion as his body gets progressively more beat up and broken.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of gasp
Verb
  • The young woman on the left strokes her hair and tells her not to be nervous.
    — Anna Griffin, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Charli even stroked the bathroom hand dryer — a clever reference to everybody’s favorite scene in Desperately Seeking Susan.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of stroke
Noun
  • At various town hall events, Sand has cited biblical passages that can be interpreted as saying that life begins at breath instead of conception.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Rooms The sheer architectural ingenuity and stature of the main building will take your breath away.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of breath
Verb
  • As Europe panted through rolling heatwaves this summer, I became drawn in by The Perfect Prescription anew.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Like some of the music, the album artwork also pays homage to the animal world and our interconnectedness—the abstract piece offers a single line drawing that weaves in outlines of a panting dog, screeching cat, stoic bunny, and wise owl.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of pant
Verb
  • The mouthfeel is thick, chewy, and honeyed, with a hint of marzipan.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of honey
Verb
  • The longer bristles can reach through the hair to massage the scalp, while the shorter ones help separate strands and work shampoo or conditioner through the hair.
    — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Someone from Hästens will come to your bedroom thrice a year to massage, fluff and flip those layers, thereby dispensing with whatever malformations your body may have inflicted upon its perfect design and making everything right in the world again.
    — Jaklin Romine Oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • Please join me in congratulating Kayleen and welcoming Maria to XBOX!
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone kept congratulating her on the long overdue success.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of congratulate

Phrases Containing puff

Browse Nearby Words

puerility
puff
puff adder
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Cite this Entry

“Puff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puff. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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