WAFTS Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

wafts 1 of 2

noun

plural of waft

as in breezes

a slight or gentle movement of air wafts carrying the scent of spring flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

calms

wafts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of waft

as in hovers

to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air a feather wafted past us and settled on the grass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 wafts

Noun

Spritz it in the morning and prepare for subtle, spa-like wafts of forest floor throughout the day. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026 In one image, a young sitter with the Arabic word for ‘justice’ painted on her cheek gazes sensuously into the camera, while flooding the frame with wafts of smoke. — Michael-Oliver Harding, CNN Money, 28 July 2026 The scent of burning resin wafts through the air, and ambient music follows you around the property, matching the vibe of the day from sunrise to sunset. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026 According to British Vogue, Kate arranged for wafts of Orange Blossom candles to fill the air of Westminster Abbey on her big day. — Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026 Banana pudding wafts with the green vanilla notes of pandan. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026 Losing the Great Salt Lake would therefore have dire economic consequences for the region, in addition to health threats as dust laden with heavy metals wafts off the lake bed and into neighborhoods. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026 Lemongrass wafts off a dish of lobster two ways. — Restaurant Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Dec. 2025 The scent of shorn wood, metal and instant coffee wafts through the air. — Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025

Verb

From the big room beyond, where men are working with chisels and planes, wafts a powerful smell of wood glue. — Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026 On sunny days, the ocean breeze wafts off the beach and through the loungers and cabanas set just back from the sand. — Tim Chester, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026 The sugary aroma wafts down Main Street, where artisans continue the century-old tradition of pouring, paddling, and slicing molten fudge into glossy, irresistible bricks. — Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025 Yes, everyone’s favorite subject on this very hot New York City day the trash smell wafts up to us. — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wafts

Noun

Hit the Rooftop at The Stray Dog Head straight for the rooftop at The Stray Dog, a long‑running New Buffalo favorite for American comfort food, cold brews, and lake breezes.

— Amy Bizzarri, Midwest Living, 20 Aug. 2026
Once glass was more widely produced in the 19th century thanks to industrialization, architects began placing windows at either end of rooms to allow for cooling cross breezes.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of breezes

Verb

The topic of head injuries and their long-lasting impact on players is a constant conversation that hovers over the NFL.

— Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The average temperature in Pittsburgh from December to February typically hovers between the upper 20s to the mid to upper 30s Fahrenheit, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.

— Mariyam Muhammad, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of hovers

Noun

Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt and stir just until mixture puffs and slightly lightens in color.

— Ellary Collins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Low-Fiber Breakfast Cereals Many cold cereals are made from refined grains that are processed into small flakes or puffs.

— Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of puffs

Verb

Boaters of all backgrounds will wade into the world of watercraft this weekend as the Orlando Boat Show floats into Central Florida.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Lil Uzi Vert floats in and out of the beat, allowing the rhythm to do much of the work and creating a record that feels almost impossible to experience sitting still.

— Brittney Williams, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of floats

Verb

Some of my favorites are coming back too, like El Pulpo Magnifico, Duane Flatmo's fire-breathing octopus, and the Monaco, a 40-foot ship with three masts that sails across dust instead of water.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Better yet, take a coastal cruise with Cape Ann Harbor Tours, which sails past six regional lighthouses.

— Nicholas DeRenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sails

Browse Nearby Words

wafting

wafts

wag

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wafts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wafts. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of wafts

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes