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
This Melissa model is a crowd favorite for a reason — it’s structured, sophisticated, impressively cushioned, and composed of cream-of-the-crop leather that will last you for many years (if not decades) of careful wear.
—
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Larger airlines have cushioned the blow somewhat by hiking some fees and fares and cutting flights.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
The shoes also have cushioned insoles with lightweight support for all-day comfort, from the course to the clubhouse.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026
The soft memory foam insole molds to the shape of your foot, so each step feels cushioned and supported.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Officials believe the impact was partially cushioned by a patch of mulch on the ground.
—Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
My fall was cushioned by lots of Dominos and DoorDash.
—Laura House, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The hydrocolloid keeps the blister contained in a wet environment and also releases an active gel that absorbs fluid from the blister—all while keeping the wound cushioned from further harm.
—Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Apr. 2026
Holloway’s second man-advantage marker in Friday’s romp cushioned the Blues’ lead to 6-2 just 82 seconds into the third period.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Larger airlines have cushioned the blow somewhat by hiking some fees and fares and cutting flights.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
The shoes also have cushioned insoles with lightweight support for all-day comfort, from the course to the clubhouse.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026
The soft memory foam insole molds to the shape of your foot, so each step feels cushioned and supported.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Officials believe the impact was partially cushioned by a patch of mulch on the ground.
—Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
My fall was cushioned by lots of Dominos and DoorDash.
—Laura House, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The hydrocolloid keeps the blister contained in a wet environment and also releases an active gel that absorbs fluid from the blister—all while keeping the wound cushioned from further harm.
—Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Apr. 2026
Holloway’s second man-advantage marker in Friday’s romp cushioned the Blues’ lead to 6-2 just 82 seconds into the third period.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushioned
softened
Verb
-
And what with all the love and pain, something in me softened—or maybe decayed.—
Eva Wiseman,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
-
And the Blue Monster was no longer a monster, not with everything softened by the rain.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cushioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushioned. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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