as in swollen
enlarged beyond normal from internal pressure
her eyelid was so puffed she couldn't see with that eye
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gasped
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty
he came running up the stairs puffing and wheezing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in applauded
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
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Recent Examples of puffed
Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
Bake, 1 baking sheet at a time, in preheated oven until slightly puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Bake until puffed and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
The restaurant serves both traditional pancakes and a German-style pancake baked until puffed and golden, a menu item that has helped set it apart over the decades.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The look featured a hood and a puffed silhouette.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 9 May 2026
With a feminine square neckline, puffed sleeves, and a figure-flattering smocked bodice, this beautiful dress embodies fairy tale-like elegance.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
The gently puffed sleeves offer a unique silhouette, and the knit detailing adds extra flair.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Declan Rice puffed his cheeks out for what could have been a world-record attempt in cheek-puffing.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
What emerged was an omelet of ideal and epitomic shape—straight, proudly puffed, about six and a half inches long and two and a half inches wide, with squarish ends and neither a speck nor drop of oil or liquid egg anywhere around.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
Bake on the middle rack of the heated oven until the top is puffed and lightly golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
When a stray kitten arrived at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in early March, her tiny body was puffed up like a balloon.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
The couple in the portraits wear traditional folk costumes, down to the woman’s puffed white sleeves and the daisies embroidered on the straps of the man’s suspenders.
—Kendra Atleework, Longreads, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Cover pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer, checking occasionally to make sure water isn’t boiling too rapidly, until matzo balls are very puffed and light in color, 30–40 minutes.
—Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
Bake, 1 baking sheet at a time, in preheated oven until slightly puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Bake until puffed and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
The restaurant serves both traditional pancakes and a German-style pancake baked until puffed and golden, a menu item that has helped set it apart over the decades.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The look featured a hood and a puffed silhouette.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
Cook for 4-6mins on each side until puffed and cooked through.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 9 May 2026
With a feminine square neckline, puffed sleeves, and a figure-flattering smocked bodice, this beautiful dress embodies fairy tale-like elegance.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
The gently puffed sleeves offer a unique silhouette, and the knit detailing adds extra flair.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Declan Rice puffed his cheeks out for what could have been a world-record attempt in cheek-puffing.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
What emerged was an omelet of ideal and epitomic shape—straight, proudly puffed, about six and a half inches long and two and a half inches wide, with squarish ends and neither a speck nor drop of oil or liquid egg anywhere around.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
Bake on the middle rack of the heated oven until the top is puffed and lightly golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
When a stray kitten arrived at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in early March, her tiny body was puffed up like a balloon.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
The couple in the portraits wear traditional folk costumes, down to the woman’s puffed white sleeves and the daisies embroidered on the straps of the man’s suspenders.
—Kendra Atleework, Longreads, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffed
Adjective
-
Instead, clivia have thick, fibrous roots attached to a swollen base known as a rhizome.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
-
Mpox symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash, according to CDC.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Barker gasped in recognition and delight.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Some audibly gasped and appeared in shock when it was announced that King Charles III and Queen Camilla would shortly be arriving to lay wreaths at the tomb.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mayor Dean Trantalis applauded that move.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
The two embraced again as the audience applauded.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
On one of the machines a Cluely employee panted and huffed in the dark.—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Freddie Freeman stroked a two-out RBI single up the middle in the fifth inning to put the Dodgers ahead 3-0.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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Last weekend, after Petteys stroked three doubles in a victory over Creighton, the Bluejays showed her the ultimate respect, walking her four times, three intentionally, during the remainder of the series at Burrill Family Field, UConn taking two of three.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Arizona Diamondbacks is congratulated by Corbin Carroll #7 and Geraldo Perdomo #2 after hitting a grand slam during the first inning of the MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on May 18, 2026 in Phoenix.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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They were joined by avid equestrienne Princess Anne, who congratulated the qualifiers for a thoroughbred riding event on scene.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the coordinated response from local and regional law enforcement agencies, including the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Manor Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Bickerstaff repeatedly praised the growth and resilience of a roster that rapidly developed into a contender.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Manager Dave Roberts has commended Sasaki for being more open-minded about feedback and change this season.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
In his latest letter, Uthmeier commended the league for altering the Rooney Rule language on its website after receiving his initial warning letter in March but added the revisions raise more questions.—
Rob Maaddi,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffed. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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