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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This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
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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
Verb
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There were dishes of baby food crusting over on the kitchenette counter.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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Apply Mulch Mulch prevents the soil from crusting and improves its water retention.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Handle heavy pans like cast-iron gently to keep them from banging on the grates and avoid chipping their enamel coating.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
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The silicone coating on the dryer sheet will help soften the food.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
9 June 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 15 Jun. 2026.
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