Definition of paddingnext
1
as in filling
soft material that is used to fill the hollow parts of something the padding is leaking out of that pillow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts that feature writer is sometimes guilty of padding, since his stories often contain colorful details that can't be verified

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

padding

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of pad

padding

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of pad

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 padding
Noun
Its high back design and leather padding ensure good quality while also looking sleek and stylish. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 This one from Carve Designs is built with high support padding to complement any water sport, plus UPF 50+ sun protection to combat scorching rays. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
Perhaps this isn’t new—Star Wars has been taking small moments from the original trilogy and padding them out for decades now—almost everything seen on screen in those first three films has been resurrected, fleshed out with backstories and unnecessary details. Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026 The stock closed at a record high of $237 — padding out year-to-date gains to 117%. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for padding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for padding
Noun
  • Four humble ingredients come together inside a tortilla to make something transcendent — melty, fluid, fleetingly crunchy, soft, toothsome, rich and filling.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Krispy Kreme rolled out a Maple Cheesecake Doughnut with cheesecake filling, maple icing, graham crunch and a maple drizzle.
    Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Staffers for major political figures have puzzled over the content, and are growing concerned about the rise of a new wave of videos with errors, exaggerations, misleading comments, and a tone that can be downright weird.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Asante draws a manufacturing analogy—with some exaggeration—arguing that previous nuclear power plants were built bespoke, akin to constructing an entire factory to produce a single car.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The financial affiliations have prompted speculation, especially through strands of the Iranian diaspora, who accuse some of its journalists of exaggerating the level of support for figures in the opposition and of advocating for war.
    Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Thomas cautioned against exaggerating the power of AI agents, however.
    Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The high resolution scan creates a virtual 3D model of the site with an accuracy range of less than 2 centimeters, and involves walking around the archaeological site with an instrument called a LiDAR scanner.
    Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Michigan and Indiana allow public walking along portions of their Great Lakes shorelines, while Wisconsin’s law remains less clear.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • One fill is claimed to be good for up to 10 chain lubes – that's a 20% increase over the Lubri Disc.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers compared data on two groups each with more than 500 people who were prescribed three fills of semaglutide or tirzepatide over six months.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Before the Rams went through stretching exercises, Donald sat on a red exercise ball, taking in the scene and focusing his thoughts for the workout ahead.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Two to 3 inches of rain are possible in a corridor stretching from the Great Lakes into southern New England, though confidence is low on how far east the rain will travel.
    Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In addition to card games that take up little storage space, think about adding coloring books and markers or crayons to your storm shelter game collection.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Color-code by person, not event Instead of coloring all sports green and all school events blue, assign one unique color to each member of the family.
    Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This may be a one-off experiment, even if Netflix is treading into bold new territory.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That’s someone treading open water who has figured out that the only way not to drown is to never stop kicking.
    Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Padding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/padding. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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