as in smearing
to cover with a hardened layer
shoes caked with dried mud
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Recent Examples of caking
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
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caking
Verb
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Anderson has countersued and accused Burkle of smearing his reputation amid a separate business dispute.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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When smearing peanut butter on bread, the robot watches the knife deflect down and crush the bread and judges forces from that.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The ash seasoning crusting the fish is made from charred citrus rinds, garlic skins and other trim waste coming from the dinner’s preparation, according to Pecha.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The sauce hit that comforting sweet spot of salty and gooey, coating each noodle with a subtle nutty note that blander versions lacked.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Mar. 2026
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Add 1 tablespoon of the remaining olive oil to the bowl and stir in the carrots, coating them well.—
Mary Ann Esposito,
Boston Herald,
4 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 2026.
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