CUSHIONING Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

cushioning 1 of 3

noun

Definition of cushioning

as in buffer

something that serves as a protective barrier put plenty of cushioning around that bottle of wine if you're going to carry it home in your suitcase

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

cushioning

2 of 3

adjective

as in softening

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

cushioning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of cushion

as in buffering

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 cushioning

Noun

The Air Max Plus was designed by Sean McDowell and first released in 1998, serving as an introduction to Nike’s latest cushioning breakthrough, Tuned Air. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026 Offering max-level cushioning without the bulk, these sneakers are easy to pair with plenty of pieces in your travel wardrobe and add a dose of personality that’s bound to draw compliments. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026

Adjective

And in many cases, the brand’s modern reissues are actually downgraded with less cushioning and lower quality materials as cost-cutting measures. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

It’s built with a ton of cushioning to soften impact from running or walking. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026 This fan favorite from Vivaia comes in to save the day and your bunions alike — flaunting a super-stretchy, custom-fit shaft plus upper, impressive arch support, and special honeycomb cushioning to mimic the sensation of walking on clouds. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cushioning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushioning

Noun

With both producing and consuming nations approaching the limits of their available policy tools, operational buffers are rapidly narrowing.

— , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Saliva constantly flushes food debris and buffers acid, so chronic dryness tilts the environment toward decay.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of buffer

Adjective

Meanwhile, emollient vitamin E and softening jojoba seed oil condition your natural nails, leaving them (and the skin around them) feeling softer and more hydrated.

— Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Apr. 2026
The formula is infused with emollient fatty acids to help support the skin’s moisture barrier, while its semi-sheer finish ensures a soft glow—far from the heavy-handed bronzer looks of the mid-2010s.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2025

Definition of emollient

Verb

Even as Democrats target his Virginia district to capitalize on a favorable 2026 environment, McGuire is doing the opposite of Republicans in some competitive races, who are softening their ties to Trump.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
This all lends itself to a softening market for fashion and apparel — even the most loyal customers are pulling back.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of softening

Noun

Designer sisters Ana and Cristina Calderon have created a variation on Pinto Coelho’s theme, with four-posters in neutral hues, bright blankets and cushions, and Gustavian armchairs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The co-CEOs have modeled a cash ramp-up in coming years but meanwhile there’s not a big cushion if churn rises, cable-network declines accelerate, the box office softens again or there’s macroeconomic or geopolitical disruption.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of cushion

Noun

The s and z sounds of cedar scent, soothed, breeze, petals, pads, crossed, shore, and small create a peaceful line of sound that mimics the smooth flow of a river.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Usual wireless charging pads mostly use heavy ferrite cores to direct magnetic fields.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of pad

Noun

Therapists begin facials with face-scanning wands and other probes, to measure your lipid shield, pigmentation, hydration and elasticity, and then cater their approach to the precise needs of your skin in that moment.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
In Paris, tear gas filled the air, and trash cans, school desks and chairs were set alight as riot police with shields and batons clashed with some demonstrators.

— Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of shield

Noun

So by the time Max was 3 years old, he was already plopped into a kid kart inside the speedway’s shipping and receiving warehouse while being pulled around with a bungee cord tied to the front bumper.

— Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
This controller uses Scuf's latest non-slip wraparound bumpers that have more surface area than before.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of bumper

Browse Nearby Words

cushioned

cushioning

cushionings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cushioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushioning. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cushioning

noun

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

galore

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes