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
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of puff
Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
All that matters at this reservation-only pizzeria is the crust, a technical marvel of puff, bulge and scorch.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
The stars gain energy, their orbits expand, and the entire stellar system starts to puff up and spread out.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puff
Noun
After a puff of smoke, the calf fell to its side, appearing motionless.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
All that matters at this reservation-only pizzeria is the crust, a technical marvel of puff, bulge and scorch.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Verb
Its classic collar and V-neck, puff sleeves, and half placket front complement the ruffle swing hem, while subtle side seam pockets are super handy for holding phones or lip gloss.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
The stars gain energy, their orbits expand, and the entire stellar system starts to puff up and spread out.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puff
Noun
-
Instead, slatted wooden doors and windows channel the ocean breeze with surprising efficiency, and the air carries the low, sweet scent of copal incense.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
As the early morning breeze tickles the top of the Santa Monica Bay, three scientists pack into a small whaler boat and push out to sea in pursuit of great white sharks.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Barker gasped in recognition and delight.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Symptoms of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, resemble a cold, with a cough that usually worsens over weeks and can cause gasping, vomiting and difficulty breathing, the Pasadena Public Health Department said in a statement announcing the outbreak.—
Fedor Zarkhin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
On that bed my mother would stroke my hair and hands.—
Chiara Barzini,
Vogue,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
From new recruits to grizzled vets, every character in this film regards Maverick as both a relic and a god (sometimes in the same breath).—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
-
Lindsay is telling him to calm down, take a deep breath, and chill out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Peter waltzes through an indistinguishable parade of such parties, high as a kite on some drug or another, at one point getting pulled into a panting threesome with another guy and handsy British tourist Leonora (Paris Petitjean).—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
The window next to my desk overlooks the gym’s large communal exercise room, and throughout the day, I am taunted by the sight of gyrating bodies panting through a Zumba class or a kettlebell set.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2024
Verb
-
In October 2018, a student told her school counselor and then Hiner that Agan had come up behind her and started massaging her neck beneath her long hair.—
Holly McDede,
ProPublica,
12 May 2026
-
Berrios-Otero was later seen allegedly massaging both boys, including one of them in their groin and buttocks area, the warrant affidavits said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Blue Collar fans flooded the comments on the Instagram post, congratulating Serfer for building an institution that will forever be part of Miami’s culinary history.—
Amy Reyes,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
-
Gil’s excited parents Annah (Clémentine Célarie) and Alain (Christian Benedetti) arrive along with her friends Agnes (Mina Kavani) and Ibrahim (Oussama Kheddam) to congratulate her.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puff. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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