cushion 1 of 2

noun

ˈku̇-shən How to pronounce cushion (audio)
Definition of cushionnext
as in buffer
something that serves as a protective barrier used a blanket as a cushion between the two tables in the moving van

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

cushion

2 of 2

verb

as in to soften
to lessen the shock of a substantial nest egg helped to cushion the sudden loss of her job

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 cushion
Noun
There’s a cushion that folds out and blocks your legs from touching the car’s bumper. — Tyler Hayes, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 In IconArrows pointing outwards This sets the stage for another quarterly rebalancing shift in favor of bonds, which now offer enough of a yield cushion to protect against further upside in rates. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
When packing bananas in your bag, make sure they’re cushioned and not packed too tightly to avoid splitting. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026 Its plush filling adds an extra layer of cushioning that shoppers have compared to sleeping on a cloud. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cushion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushion
  1. buffer
  2. soften
  3. pad
  4. shield
  5. bumper
Noun
  • Palillo proposes a 20-foot vegetative buffer between his project and homes, and a 12-foot sound barrier wall, according to his plans on file with the Huntersville Planning Board.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Charlie Fox, a 56-year-old San Clemente resident and marine meteorologist, said sand provides a critical buffer between whatever structures — train tracks, homes, lifeguard headquarters — are built along the coast.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of buffer
Verb
  • Growth in the world’s second-largest economy softened to its slowest in more than three years in the second quarter, as a multiyear property downturn continued to depress consumer demand and investment in real estate and infrastructure.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In a microwave-safe medium bowl, microwave the cream cheese for 5 to 10 seconds, just until it’s softened.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of soften
Noun
  • These microstructures generate molecular-level van der Waals forces that bind the foot pads to surrounding surfaces.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • It’s equipped with a cushioned running belt and shock-absorbing pads for smooth walks.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of pad
Noun
  • What many people enjoying these beaches don't realize is that this iconic stretch of sand is also a critical line of defense—a massive engineering shield protecting our vital infrastructure.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This celestial shield keeps harmful solar wind, cosmic rays and radiation at bay, preventing the atmosphere from being stripped away.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of shield
Noun
  • The family said the diagnosis likely stems from his racing career — one in which drivers crushed bumpers and raced like gladiators without the safety protections found in the sport now.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Two officers, Stefan Carutasu and Dominique Billew, responded and found Blanco standing near a parked car, repeatedly slashing at an area under the bumper.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of bumper

Browse Nearby Words

curvy
cushion
cushioned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cushion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushion. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All