as in lovers
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
1
as in rubs
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 polishes
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buffs
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2026
You’re supposed to be movie buffs or whatever.
—G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
History buffs will revel in the dozens UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited, while foodies can check out the new onboard Epicurean Enrichment Studio, created by executive chef Kathryn Kelly as a chance to connect to the local cultures through cuisine.
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2026
This week, a fever dream for history buffs and fireplace lovers.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 16 Mar. 2026
Appealing to both foodies and nature buffs, the Food Trails have become a popular way to explore the Burren and take in its ancient topography, while also getting a taste of the people, brands, and flavors that are driving today’s Ireland.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Silicon Valley history buffs know Ronald Wayne’s story well.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
Most film buffs seek out the best that cinema has to offer, but some people have a fascination with the epic fails—that is, the movies considered to be the worst.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026
The island, home to military forts and the iconic black-and-white Tybee Island Light Station, built in 1773, is a dream for history buffs and nature lovers seeking tranquility.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
Public tours of the White House have been a longstanding American tradition, offering families, students, and history buffs a rare chance to see inside one of the nation's most significant historic buildings.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
There are good beaches and boating, while for archaeology buffs, Lipari offers loads of fascinating ruins—some dating back to the Bronze Age, when the island was a stop on an obsidian trade route.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2026
You’re supposed to be movie buffs or whatever.
—G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
History buffs will revel in the dozens UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited, while foodies can check out the new onboard Epicurean Enrichment Studio, created by executive chef Kathryn Kelly as a chance to connect to the local cultures through cuisine.
—Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2026
This week, a fever dream for history buffs and fireplace lovers.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 16 Mar. 2026
Appealing to both foodies and nature buffs, the Food Trails have become a popular way to explore the Burren and take in its ancient topography, while also getting a taste of the people, brands, and flavors that are driving today’s Ireland.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Silicon Valley history buffs know Ronald Wayne’s story well.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
Most film buffs seek out the best that cinema has to offer, but some people have a fascination with the epic fails—that is, the movies considered to be the worst.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026
The island, home to military forts and the iconic black-and-white Tybee Island Light Station, built in 1773, is a dream for history buffs and nature lovers seeking tranquility.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Go in with the glass cuticle pusher to gently soften and push back cuticles (which can help nails look longer), plus the glass polisher, which buffs the nail surface smooth for smoother, better, longer-lasting polish application.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
Public tours of the White House have been a longstanding American tradition, offering families, students, and history buffs a rare chance to see inside one of the nation's most significant historic buildings.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffs
Noun
-
Uncompromising lovers of luxury.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
While the storm is looming, there are new glimmers of possibility—friends can become lovers, strangers can become friends on the subway, the supermarket aisles are charged with meaning.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Give him lots of treats and belly rubs!—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
It can be added to marinades, soups, sauces, rubs, and is often on the table to be added to whatever dish is being served.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In one scene, her character polishes and admires the ring, allowing viewers a closer look at the remarkable stone.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The process polishes the gentle bonhomie that promises to transform even the smallest silences into celebrations.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The game turned some Wildcat fans into Wolverine fans, at least for one night.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The Hornets have experienced 23 sellouts this season, establishing a new mark in the uptown arena, and exceeded an average of 18,000 fans per game.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her lawyer, Daniel Malakauskas, files the suits using the same script, with the business name and specific violations swapped out.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The first batch At the statutory deadline for making the Epstein files public, the Justice Department released only some of them.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream smooths it all, thanks to soothing thermal spring water that helps skin bounce back from stress.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The brand’s stretch jean tech somehow smoothes my stomach and clings to my legs without feeling restrictive.—
Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar,
Glamour,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Invasive vines like Virginia creeper, English ivy, and buckthorn can strangle trees, for example, and some aggressive trees may spread via underground suckers and roots.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
5 Apr. 2026
-
What’s more, these specialized mating suckers are densely packed with neural clusters.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sawdust sprays as Matt Sams meticulously sands the edges of a balcony railing that will soon be affixed to the front of a house.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Chapman sands his board occasionally to remove this top layer of funk.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffs. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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