as in softened
to lessen the shock of
a substantial nest egg helped to cushion the sudden loss of her job
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Recent Examples of cushioned
Beyond exfoliation, panthenol, adenosine, and glycoproteins help hydrate and add a little bounce back, while macadamia seed oil keeps the finish cushioned rather than tight.
—
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
The memory foam insole keeps your feet cushioned during long sightseeing days, while the durable outsole can handle major steps.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
These booties, which are lined with plush faux fur and cushioned with memory foam, are the kind of gift someone will never want to take off.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
The three-pointer, off a turnover by Tennessee (10-4, 0-1), cushioned Arkansas' lead to 76-68 with three minutes left.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 5 Jan. 2026
The soft and cushioned bath mat comes in three elegant, muted colors (alabaster, clay, and eucalyptus) and doesn’t fade or lose its shape after washing.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2026
Hoka’s beloved Anacapa Low GTX was rising to the top with reviews for those with plantar fasciitis who needed a supportive and cushioned light-weight hiking sneaker.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Dec. 2025
The saddle is well-cushioned, the bars offer a neutral upright posture, and the rubber grips are comfortable.
—New Atlas, 18 Dec. 2025
The data from their sensors is already starting to get crunched, revealing how effectively the car cushioned them from the force of the collision.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
The memory foam insole keeps your feet cushioned during long sightseeing days, while the durable outsole can handle major steps.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
These booties, which are lined with plush faux fur and cushioned with memory foam, are the kind of gift someone will never want to take off.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
The three-pointer, off a turnover by Tennessee (10-4, 0-1), cushioned Arkansas' lead to 76-68 with three minutes left.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 5 Jan. 2026
The soft and cushioned bath mat comes in three elegant, muted colors (alabaster, clay, and eucalyptus) and doesn’t fade or lose its shape after washing.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2026
Hoka’s beloved Anacapa Low GTX was rising to the top with reviews for those with plantar fasciitis who needed a supportive and cushioned light-weight hiking sneaker.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Dec. 2025
The saddle is well-cushioned, the bars offer a neutral upright posture, and the rubber grips are comfortable.
—New Atlas, 18 Dec. 2025
The data from their sensors is already starting to get crunched, revealing how effectively the car cushioned them from the force of the collision.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushioned
softened
Verb
-
Add bell peppers and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 6 to 7 minutes.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Trump softened his words on the killings and the White House has moved to distance him from Noem and Bovino’s comments.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cushioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushioned. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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