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
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buff
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025
History buffs will enjoy a walk through the one-street downtown, where many of the original buildings (most are on the National Register of Historic Places) remain.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 May 2025
Since everyone has the same amount of health, buffing that while reducing shield HP will likely prolong at least some fights.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
Noun
The idea for micro-cocktails isn’t brand new—cocktail history buffs can trace their origin to the Snaquiri, a petite version of a daiquiri developed by Dutch Kills’s bartenders in New York in the 2010s.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025
History buffs will enjoy a walk through the one-street downtown, where many of the original buildings (most are on the National Register of Historic Places) remain.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
An innovative cream-to-powder formula, this offers excellent pigment, but finishes down into a super-fine texture that diffuses into skin—especially when buffed in with a domed, medium density brush like Chanel’s N°107.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 May 2025
Since everyone has the same amount of health, buffing that while reducing shield HP will likely prolong at least some fights.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buff
Noun
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Hard and Semi-Soft Cheeses Good news for cheese lovers everywhere!—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
The online marketplace is full of fellow antique lovers selling finds that date all the way back to the 1940s.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
Noun
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At one point, Leonardo looks up Justin Bieber’s nudes, which the filmmakers used without any permission or clearance, knowing the pop star will probably never see this film.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
27 May 2025
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Martone was targeted with a deepfake nude that was shared on social media and emailed to her employer, urging them to fire her.—
Kim Elsesser,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Verb
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So in the long run, even somewhere like Oxford won't be rubbing their hands with glee if life is harder for Harvard — because Oxford and Harvard do projects together.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
5 June 2025
-
Privately, Musk rubbed a number of senior officials the wrong way during his time in government, and his complaints about a key legislative goal may further agitate his critics in the administration.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
The formal coupes are polished using specialty techniques to reveal a reflective, opalescent finish.—
Maria Conti,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
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Elevated by fluted panels and a duo of discreet storage drawers, its look is polished enough to nimbly complement non-office settings.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
3 June 2025
Noun
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There was a significant interaction between gender and audience type, suggesting that, say, female romance fans might respond differently than male friendship fans.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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After Christmas Day, Netflix will give fans a week to recover before dropping the finale.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
The Middle East is no stranger to sand and dust storms.—
Sanam Mahoozi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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Then it must be sanded smooth and weatherproofed before being decorated.—
Beth Lipoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Who doesn’t love a pair of leggings that sucks you in and smoothes your midsection?—
Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar,
Glamour,
2 June 2025
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The team was accused of stuffing and smoothing the seams of the rear attenuator, a part that is standard for all teams and therefore cannot be modified.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
Noun
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What the Nuggets need to do is find a sucker who is willing to talk themselves into the remaining $79 million over two years owed to Porter, while sending back a couple of quality role players.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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Peppers that produce large fruit should only be lightly pruned to remove unproductive suckers, but smaller-fruited pepper plants can be pruned a little more aggressively to boost airflow and branching.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buff. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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