zephyr

noun

ˈze-fər How to pronounce zephyr (audio)
Definition of zephyrnext
as in breeze
a slight or gentle movement of air a summer zephyr gently stirred her hair

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 zephyr But even this state-of-the-art model couldn’t directly account for the subtle cumulative effects of clouds, which can span just meters and be shaped by even tinier zephyrs of air. — Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2026 Most summer days on the TMB are luxurious, with zephyrs rustling the pastures, blue skies, and great hiking temperatures. — Doug Mayer, Outside Online, 15 Feb. 2023 The third floor of the store is home to what is billed as the world’s largest collection of shirtings, with 6,000 types of poplins, batistes, zephyrs and voiles, and another room dedicated just to collars. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 The movements were more scene setting than story telling, with wafting, zephyr-like patterns from piano, the themes eliding wind to string voices in a delicate and tricky texture. — By Libby Hanssen, kansascity, 16 July 2017 Windsurfers lean into the prevailing southwestern zephyr at incredible speeds. — Dino Vournas, The Mercury News, 21 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zephyr
  1. breeze
  2. puff
Noun
  • Palm trees abound; a perpetual breeze and a soundtrack of chirping birds complement the luscious grounds.
    — Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The sandy shores of Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach are about 20 minutes away, but afternoons on the porch, appreciating the breezes that come in off the Winyah Bay and the connecting rivers, are just as peaceful.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of breeze
Noun
  • 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
  • Instead, press the powder into the back of your hand first, then tap the puff lightly onto your skin.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of puff

Browse Nearby Words

zeniths
zephyr
zephyrs
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Zephyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zephyr. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of devolve

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All