Synonyms of padding

padding 1 of 3

noun

ˈpa-diŋ 

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

• filling
• fill
• packing
• filler
• lining
• wadding
• stuffing
• pad
• quilting
• cushion
• buffer
• bumper
• fender
• interlining

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

• exaggeration
• stretching
• enhancement
• caricature
• embroidery
• coloring
• hyperbole
• magnification
• fabrication
• embellishment
• overstatement
• elaboration
• embroidering
• misrepresentation
• amplification
• hype
• hedging
• fudging
• puffery
• superlative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• understatement
• meiosis
• minimizing
• disparagement
• belittlement
• poor-mouthing

padding

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of pad

as in exaggerating

to add to the interest of by including made-up details

the journalist was fired for padding certain stories to make them more interesting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exaggerating
• coloring
• enhancing
• stretching
• expanding
• embellishing
• embroidering
• hyperbolizing
• elaborating (on)
• magnifying
• satirizing
• emphasizing
• hedging
• enlarging (on or upon)
• stressing
• amplifying
• overdoing
• fudging
• fleshing (out)
• overemphasizing
• overstating
• gussying up
• overdrawing
• playing up
• overplaying
• dressing up
• caricaturing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimizing
• belittling
• understating
• playing down

padding

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of pad

as in walking

to go on foot

a cat padded silently by

Synonyms & Similar Words

• walking
• treading
• stepping
• strolling
• wandering
• ambulating
• shuffling
• traipsing
• marching
• hiking
• footing (it)
• sauntering
• pacing
• legging (it)
• striding
• trotting
• trekking
• hoofing (it)
• promenading
• trampling
• clumping
• stomping
• tiptoeing
• trooping
• parading
• stepping out
• ambling
• tapping
• tramping
• prancing
• rambling
• power walking
• scuffing
• trudging
• stumping
• limping
• hobbling
• mincing
• stalking
• bouncing
• strutting
• waddling
• perambulating
• staggering
• gimping
• plodding
• stumbling
• moseying
• lurching
• swaggering
• footslogging
• peregrinating
• toddling
• faltering
• pussyfooting
• shambling
• sashaying
• pounding
• tripping
• tromping
• lumbering
• nipping

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of padding

Noun

The padding within the insoles is enhanced with rocking technology that takes the effort out of each step by rolling you forward with ease, plus, they’re lined with a cooling goga mat material that helps with shock absorption. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2026

To play the role, Cruise, as is his custom, has gone all in for the role and drastically transformed his appearance with facial prosthetics, thinning hair and belly-forward padding. — Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

And in any case, as Northwestern kept padding its lead, the seats started to empty. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Several women’s World Tour teams have raised concerns that cyclists on rival teams are padding their sports bras to give them a boost in time trials, according to leading Dutch cycling news site, WielerFlits. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026