1
: a blow especially with the hand
2
: something that strikes with telling force
buffeted; buffeting; buffets
1
: to strike sharply especially with the hand : cuff
2
: to strike repeatedly : batter
the waves buffeted the shore
3
: to drive, force, move, or attack by or as if by repeated blows
schools being buffeted by budget cuts
: to make one's way especially under difficult conditions
plural buffets
1
furniture
: sideboard sense 1
2
a
: a counter for refreshments
went back to the buffet for a second helping
b
chiefly British
: a restaurant operated as a public convenience (as in a railway station)
c
: a meal set out on a buffet or table for ready access and informal service
a restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet
3
: an assortment of options or offerings : variety
Once you're up there among the clouds, you'll have a buffet of skiing options.—
Brad Wetzler
Brad Wetzler
: served informally especially as a buffet (see buffet entry 3 sense 2c)
a buffet meal
buffet luncheons
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Verb
- bash
- baste
- bat
- batter
- beat
- belabor
- belt
- birch
- bludgeon
- bung up
- club
- curry
- do
- drub
- fib [British]
- flog
- hammer
- hide
- lace
- lambaste
- lambast
- lash
- lather
- lick
- maul
- mess (up)
- paddle
- pelt
- pommel
- pound
- pummel
- punch out
- rough (up)
- slate
- slog
- switch
- tan
- thrash
- thresh
- thump
- tromp
- wallop
- whale
- whip
- whop
- whap
- whup
- work over
Noun (2)
Examples of buffet in a Sentence
Noun (1)
delivered a powerful buffet to the side of the prisoner's head
Verb
The strong winds buffeted the ship.
fierce winds buffeted the small sailboat
Noun (2)
a buffet completed the kitchen set
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Morris, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024
The Wigwam: Litchfield's, one of the restaurants at The Wigwam, will host Breakfast with Santa with a buffet, crafts and a chance to meet and take photos with Santa.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 30 Nov. 2024
Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 17 Oct. 2024
Bonds suffered one of their all-time worst years, buffeted by a one-two punch of spiraling inflation and rising interest rates.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 9 Nov. 2024
Julian Kheel, CNN Underscored, 1 June 2020
See all Example Sentences for buffet 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Here, there is also a sushi bar, a patisserie worthy of a Parisian sojourn, a coffee bar, and a buffet with a revolving variety of options.
—Rachel Morris, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024
The Wigwam: Litchfield's, one of the restaurants at The Wigwam, will host Breakfast with Santa with a buffet, crafts and a chance to meet and take photos with Santa.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
King was last heard from on September 17, which is when Eagle Peak was buffeted by snow and wind.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 17 Oct. 2024
Bonds suffered one of their all-time worst years, buffeted by a one-two punch of spiraling inflation and rising interest rates.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 9 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Customers can expect to see non-buffet-style food options, and social distancing will likely require a reduction in the number of people allowed in the usually crowded lounges.
—Julian Kheel, CNN Underscored, 1 June 2020
See all Example Sentences for buffet
Dictionary Entries Near buffet
Cite this Entry
“Buffet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buffet. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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