huff 1 of 2

noun

Definition of huffnext
1
as in fuss
a state of nervous or irritated concern was in a huff because everyone was running late and the school bus would stop to pick them up in a matter of minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in scene
an outburst or display of excited anger gets all in a huff every time anyone makes the slightest criticism

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in anger
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity left the restaurant in a huff after waiting 15 minutes to be seated

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

huff

2 of 2

verb

ˈhəf How to pronounce huff (audio)
as in to rave
to talk loudly and wildly demanding to speak to the manager, he huffed about the rudeness of the sales assistant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word huff distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of huff are dudgeon, offense, pique, resentment, and umbrage. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

Where would dudgeon be a reasonable alternative to huff?

Although the words dudgeon and huff have much in common, dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When is offense a more appropriate choice than huff?

While in some cases nearly identical to huff, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When can pique be used instead of huff?

The synonyms pique and huff are sometimes interchangeable, but pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

When might resentment be a better fit than huff?

In some situations, the words resentment and huff are roughly equivalent. However, resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

In what contexts can umbrage take the place of huff?

The words umbrage and huff are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of huff
Noun
The huffs and hums, produced by two women standing face-to-face and vocalizing from their throats, is believed to be one of the oldest music forms in the world. —Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024 Trump huffs and he puffs And could blow the White House down Pick a different end Plus! —Drew Goins, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
Verb
The trail huffs up 1,000 feet per mile, traversing talus slopes and narrow ridgelines en route to a dizzying view of Yellowstone Lake. —Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Outside Online, 3 June 2025 Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace seem to have huffed an entire boxed set of Friday Night Lights before sitting down to brainstorm Landman. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for huff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for huff
  1. fuss
  2. scene
  3. anger
  4. rave
  5. sweat
  6. fit
  7. rant
  8. panic
Noun
  • That all of the fuss of hiring a world-class manager might actually be worth it.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The star’s grooming routine is no fuss.
    — Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • The restaurant still stands and Cianfrance says the scene with the meal is comprised of women from the church who remember Manchester from his time at Crossroads.
    — Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • He was charged with felony counts of leaving the scene of crash involving death, driving without a license causing death and resisting arrest, the sheriff’s office said.
    — Mark Price, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of scene
Noun
  • But the anger and radicalization have to be managed by Democratic leaders, if not for the sake of the country, then at least to avoid a political backlash.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Burning anti-establishment anger helped lay the path for his successful 2018 presidential run, with dozens of far-right and conservative lawmakers elected on his coattails.
    — Ricardo Brito, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of anger
Verb
  • National outlets raved about his production and fans implored the Royals to bring him up.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Shorter shoppers rave about them, too.
    — Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025
Definition of rave
Noun
  • Sign up to get 20+ $100 (FanCash) no-sweat bets.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Some were already reporting such symptoms as weakness, fatigue, fever, sweats and an unpleasant rash — classic signs of the resurgence of the virus.
    — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of sweat
Noun
  • The Royals — who made a few quality starting additions — decided his best fit would be as a full-time relief pitcher.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The pants feature an elastic drawstring waistband for a fit that feels right and two large pockets to hold a phone and other small items.
    — Laura Lu, Parents, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of fit
Verb
  • That may get them guest slots to rant on MSNBC, but that won’t help Chicago neighborhoods that are being held hostage by homegrown criminals who are shooting, carjacking and robbing them of their security and vitality.
    — Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • And his ultimate war is with Bob, a tech CEO who rants about his haters and has gotten rich off rebranded snake oil and whose obvious corruption has been obscured by his self-mythologizing.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Definition of rant
Noun
  • As an adult, financial matters, especially, threw him into a panic and eventually sent him to therapy.
    — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Even when things might look bleak, investors with cash on hand can afford to wait it out and not panic.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of panic

Phrases Containing huff

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huff
huffed
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Cite this Entry

“Huff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/huff. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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