1
as in lover
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
he's such a film buff that he owns over 3,000 movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nude
the state of having no clothes on one's body
protected by a fully enclosed backyard, the couple would frequently sunbathe in the buff
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
she learned to buff semiprecious stones in order to make her own jewelry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buff
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
History buffs and teenagers with an interest in investing, banking, and entrepreneurship will appreciate learning about America's history of discrimination in these industries.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 20 Jan. 2026
For extra shine, Sokolowski suggests buffing lightly with a dry cloth.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buff
Noun
Pompeii is also nestled along the coast and is a perfect excursion for history buffs.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
History buffs and teenagers with an interest in investing, banking, and entrepreneurship will appreciate learning about America's history of discrimination in these industries.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
To buff your stainless steel, use a mixture of water and a few drops of vinegar sprayed onto your microfiber cloth.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 20 Jan. 2026
For extra shine, Sokolowski suggests buffing lightly with a dry cloth.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buff
Noun
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Science aside, a batch of these will win over any chocolate lover, regardless of where their brownie loyalties lie.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
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Looking to build out a universe or find a great gift for a pop culture lover?—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In order to rule in her favor, jurors will have to parse the harmful actions of fellow users — including her high school bullies and adult men sending her unsolicited nudes — from design decisions made by the companies themselves.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Focusing on Mapplethorpe’s aesthetic research, the exhibition features over 200 works, tracing the evolution of Mapplethorpe’s visual language through themes like portraits, self-portraits, flowers and nudes.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Diners here can feast upon things like duck fat frites for brunch and espresso-rubbed steaks for dinner.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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With the moody Moon in your 7th House of Partnership opposing cautious Chiron in your committed sign, mixed signals may rub sensitive spots.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Set the scene Set on a leafy corner of Recoleta, close enough to the action but removed from the tourist hubbub, Sofitel is polished without being stuffy, the kind of place where everyone looks put-together even at breakfast.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Many are polished enough to appear legitimate at first glance.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Why to Prune Viburnums Viburnums seldom need pruning other than to remove damaged, diseased, and dead branches, or sucker shoots that grow straight up from the roots but don’t flower.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
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Kocher was a grandfather and a sucker for extra hours on the bike trails, Beckley said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the only in-depth interview she’s ever given, Censori is finally speaking—about all that nudity, about her childhood and her early career, about her husband’s mental health and apparent antisemitism, and about who, exactly, is in control of her life.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
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The modern Western culture around nudity really teaches you shame about something that is so human and natural and innocent.—
Nicola Dall'Asen,
Allure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To smooth rough wood, sand the handles with medium-grit sandpaper and rub them with linseed oil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
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City of Dallas has only eight snow plows The city of Dallas has only eight snow plows and about 100 sanding trucks for 11,700 lane miles of roads, forcing it to prioritize.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Appealing Venus is parading into your 6th House of Habits, bringing sweetness to routines and smoothing dynamics, which suits a diplomatic style of handling events.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
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To smooth the transition, start making changes earlier in the day, Popp suggested.—
Jamie Ducharme,
Health,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buff. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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