huff

A short period of being angry or annoyed, often shown by leaving or refusing to speak.

• He left in a huff.
• Are you still in a huff about dinner?
• She went into a huff when nobody thanked her.

How to use it: in a huff (She walked away in a huff.)

Similar words: sulk

Common phrases: in a huff, leave in a huff

A short, strong breath that you can hear.

• He let out a huff.
• With a huff, she lifted the heavy case.
• I heard several huffs as he climbed the stairs.

Similar words: puff, sigh

Common phrases: with a huff, let out a huff, loud huff

To breathe loudly and heavily, often because of effort.

• He began to huff and puff.
• She huffed as she carried the bags upstairs.
• We were huffing after the steep climb.

Similar words: pant, puff

Common phrases: huff and puff, huff up something

To say something in a way that shows you are annoyed.

• "That is unfair," she huffed.
• He huffed that nobody ever listened to him.
• "I can do it myself," he huffed at his sister.

How to use it: huff that… (He huffed that the decision was unfair.)

Similar words: snap

Common phrases: huff at someone, huff about something

To become larger or fuller.

• The dough began to huff.
• Warmth made the bread huff up.
• The loaf huffed as it baked.

Similar words: swell, expand, rise

Opposites: shrink

Common phrases: huff up, bread can huff