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
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Recent Examples of cushion
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Canes defenders gave Notre Dame receivers too much cushion in coverage, the interior of the defense allowed too many holes up the middle and linebacker Mohamed Toure busted coverage on Eli Raridon’s 65-yard catch and run, setting up Carr’s 7-yard run for the tying touchdown.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Afp, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2025
Osteoarthritis is a disease that comes about as the cartilage that cushions your joints gradually disappears.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cushion
Noun
Photos released by the Navy show that the Iwo Jima—the flagship of the amphibious ready group—is equipped with AV-8B attack aircraft, MV-22B tilt-rotor transport aircraft, and AH-1Z attack helicopters, as well as landing craft air cushions for amphibious operations.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Canes defenders gave Notre Dame receivers too much cushion in coverage, the interior of the defense allowed too many holes up the middle and linebacker Mohamed Toure busted coverage on Eli Raridon’s 65-yard catch and run, setting up Carr’s 7-yard run for the tying touchdown.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
The world’s fifth-largest economy is looking to cushion the blow, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi promising to lower the tax burden on citizens during an annual speech to mark India’s independence.
—Afp, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2025
Osteoarthritis is a disease that comes about as the cartilage that cushions your joints gradually disappears.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cushion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushion
Noun
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Inside, lofted seating positions deliver an elevated view while quilted semi-aniline leather and acoustic glass buffer passengers in comfort and quiet.—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The LiF@spinel approach combines a spinel buffer for rapid ion movement with a LiF outer layer that blocks corrosive attack, the researchers said.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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All of these things can soften poop and move it through your system more smoothly—which helps keep those nearby blood vessels calm and cool.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
5 Sep. 2025
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If a fence is involved, soften its lines with greenery.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Soliman is known as an elegant dresser, but his apartment was in bachelor-pad disarray, a reflection of his long hours at the hospital and the abruptness of his detention, said his friends, also clerics.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Linebacker Carson Schwesinger is a demon in thigh pads.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Trump has lost his tariff shield.—
Brett Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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But Facebook and other companies had a legal shield, known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which essentially deterred lawsuits over content posted by their users.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At Cedar Creek Park, there will be a variety of family-friendly entertainment that includes bounce houses, a live mermaid, baby kangaroos, bumper boats and a petting zoo.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Now, tennis is built for players with straight-up speed and the ability to switch direction like pinballs bouncing off bumpers.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cushion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushion. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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