1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

cushioning 1 of 3

noun

Definition of cushioningnext
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
Some of the selling features of the new shoe range include Enrgcore for cushioning and energy return, Technisupport for torsional control, and Duracomp, a high-resistance rubber compound that delivers grip and protection. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 Plus, supportive cushioning ensures every step is comfortable, and reviewers have worn them to work, as well as walking around Italy, Scotland, Greece, the UK, and more—all without pain. — Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 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
The company says the AirX design draws inspiration from automotive airbags and air-cushioning systems used in footwear, incorporating structures intended to absorb impact energy. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026 This pair in white chambray is a perfect match thanks to a black stripe that runs along the soles, and unlike many low-profile shoes, provides plenty of support with extra heel padding and cushioning around the ankles. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cushioning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushioning
  1. buffer
  2. emollient
  3. softening
  4. cushion
  5. compassionate
  6. pad
  7. shield
  8. bumper
Noun
  • Maxar | Maxar | Getty Images Ample global inventories and stockpiles have historically acted as a crucial buffer to keep a lid on oil prices during previous crises.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • However, any sense of security that three-year buffer may have offered was a mirage; Newcastle recognised that, with Hall having so many admirers across Europe, extending his contract had to be an immediate post-window priority.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 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
  • The Sagittarius Moon trines Chiron in your partnership zone, softening the instinct to package every feeling so perfectly that nobody could possibly object.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • China's oil import diet in turn helped ease global demand, softening the upward price effects for the United States, Europe and beyond.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of softening
Noun
  • And while the club escaped with a draw after going down 2-0 on Friday, results elsewhere have given KC a bit of cushion at the playoff cut line.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But in a rising rate environment, investors have more cushion as prices fall, meaning the prospect for losses is much lower.
    — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of cushion
Adjective
  • The program, also known as compassionate use, is a regulatory pathway that helps dying patients get unproven drugs outside of a clinical trial.
    — Gerry Smith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • While everyone else seemed to be compassionate and understanding, David sometimes was not.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Noun
  • According to the nonwovens industry association EDANA, the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association, Confitex’s reusable bed pad can absorb more than 2 liters of liquid and withstand up to 30 wash-and-dry cycles.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Those with a penchant for toner pads or exfoliation should turn to M-61’s PowerGlow Peel—one swipe for a visible glow, no rinse required.
    — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of pad
Noun
  • In a second the players were there, every single player was there, stopping celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Three of the Starlink craft launching on Flight 14 have been outfitted with cameras and will photograph the heat shield on Starship's upper stage, known as Ship, after deployment.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of shield
Noun
  • Easy to hang with pre-routed keyholes and soft bumpers to protect walls.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Alternatively, the Duo Case serves as more of a bumper around the phone, keeping the top screen visible without covering the hinge on the side of the phone, the video shows.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of bumper

Browse Nearby Words

cushioned
cushioning
cushionings
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cushioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushioning. Accessed 22 Sep. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nemesis

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All