as in smearing
to cover with a hardened layer
shoes caked with dried mud
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Recent Examples of caking
Wipe down furniture in the kitchen or dining room frequently to prevent grease from caking on.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
Dry the tracks thoroughly afterward to prevent grime from caking into the grooves.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Dirt is everywhere, caking people’s Vans sneakers, and the day is a dull grey as clouds above threaten rain.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
Dry the tracks thoroughly afterward to prevent grime from caking into the grooves.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Dirt is everywhere, caking people’s Vans sneakers, and the day is a dull grey as clouds above threaten rain.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caking
Verb
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While being held at the Independence Police Department’s detention unit, Ashley allegedly damaged the inside of a cell by smearing feces and blood on the walls and floor.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
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In 2012, the gossip site Gawker, infamous for smearing conservative activists, published embarrassing footage of Hogan that had been secretly recorded and had no legitimate news value.—
George Harris,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Apply Mulch Mulch prevents the soil from crusting and improves its water retention.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
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During the first few days, normal symptoms such as crusting and redness may happen.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the past few weeks, massive amounts of sargassum have washed up on the shores of the Yucatan Peninsula, coating beaches in Cancun, Mexico.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2026
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Because coating formulas are proprietary, companies are not required to disclose every ingredient used in the blend.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Verb
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As the salmon blackens in a skillet, the spices awaken, encrusting the fish in peppery piquant.—
The Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Caking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caking. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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