reading 1 of 2

noun

ˈrē-diŋ How to pronounce reading (audio)
Definition of readingnext
1
as in interpretation
a presentation of an artistic work (as a piece of music) from a particular point of view a very bizarre reading of one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies by an alternative theater company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in lesson
something assigned to be read or studied make sure you do the assigned reading for tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

reading

2 of 2

verb

present participle of read
1
as in scanning
to go over and mentally take in the content of he always reads the newspaper in the morning as he eats breakfast

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in predicting
to tell of or describe beforehand the psychic claimed to be able to read his future

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 reading
Noun
The consumer and producer price indexes are also the last major inflation readings before voters across the country head to the polls in the midterm elections. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026 Thursday’s reading rose 3 percent from the week prior, rebounding after three straight weekly declines. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
In Texas’s Senate race, Republican Ken Paxton has shared a spot that features James Talarico, his Democratic opponent, reading extreme left-wing views from a Bible. — Max Raskin, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, if anyone from Paul McCartney’s team happens to be reading this, please play him some Tinashe to broaden his horizons. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reading
  1. interpretation
  2. lesson
  3. scanning
  4. predicting
  5. version
  6. assignment
  7. perusing
  8. rendition
Noun
  • The oversize everyday bag continues to dominate, particularly in supple suede finishes, while mini and micro bags remain relevant through playful interpretations featuring embroidery, charms and decorative details.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For Smith and others like him, competing interpretations have created a high-stakes legal limbo.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of interpretation
Noun
  • The enduring lesson of Reykjavík is not simply about nuclear weapons or diplomacy.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • There are important investing lessons to learn from Microsoft's road back to its first record close in almost a year.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of lesson
Verb
  • Aiming to protect what’s left of its buildings and monuments is a converted Volkswagen Crafter—the ARK III, a mobile 3D-scanning lab that creates digital twins of sacred and historical structures for future restoration.
    — Chris Stokel-Walker, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The sonar pinged about once a second, scanning the water 500 feet in every direction for signs of life, while another machine scanned the water immediately below the boat.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of scanning
Verb
  • Media narrative predicting blue wave in key battleground state not meshing with local Republicans.
    — , FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The organization’s track record of predicting Oscar success has been mixed over the years.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of predicting
Noun
  • Demna’s version of Gucci’s iconic Horsebit has an edge that feels both editorial and wearable, particularly for the customer who is looking to add something new to their Gucci collection.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This October, against this newly rumpled and roughneck version of the Milwaukee Brewers, that’s apparently going to be easier said than done.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of version
Noun
  • No other reporter was available or willing to take the assignment.
    — Richard Nichols, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • This defense needs to find a way to make quarterbacks uncomfortable without becoming blitz crazy, and that means Chop Robinson, Josh Uche and Malik Herring must step up and win more of their 1-on-1 assignments.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of assignment
Verb
  • Charmain Ware-Jason of Murphy’s and Sug After Dark Entering VinoTeca on a recent Wednesday evening felt more akin to mingling at a dinner party than perusing a wine shop.
    — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • But few were perusing Skims’ wares, as everyone gathered near the entrance around a larger-than-life faux marble sculpture modeled after Greek statuary.
    — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of perusing
Noun
  • So patience, but also only to a degree, with this rendition of the Heat arguably more in win-now mode than recent iterations of the roster.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The key piece was a rendition of the Melone minaudière, a historic design first conceived in the ’70s, when it was crafted from solid gold.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rendition

Browse Nearby Words

readiness
reading
reading out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reading. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reading

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reading

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