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

Combined with plush cushioning, these thoughtful details make Bombas socks stand out from the average pair. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 13 Oct. 2026 Similar in appearance to classic Hoka styles, the Nortiv 8 ActiveBreeze Running Shoes are a budget-friendly option for travelers looking for maximum cushioning. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 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

Its plush filling adds an extra layer of cushioning that shoppers have compared to sleeping on a cloud. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026 The sole offers premium cushioning for comfort, while the insole molds to your foot for a customized fit. — Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cushioning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushioning

Noun

Creative freedom runs on a cash buffer, not on a good quarter.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
With sanctions limiting borrowing and liquid reserves dwindling, analysts warn Russia could exhaust its financial buffers by early 2028 without further tax increases or spending cuts.

— David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 29 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

Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide is a rich overnight cream that helps replenish dry skin while softening the look of crepiness, fine lines, and rough texture.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
Scientists at the Beckman Institute have been tracking levels of plastic-softening phthalates in the blood of children since before they were born up until age 11.

— Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of softening

Noun

But the Knicks blew open the game by outscoring the Pistons 37-13 in the third quarter to open a 25-point cushion against the team who handled them better than anyone else last season.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Partly inspired by her time working as a museum security guard, they are often accompanied by water bottles, cushions, books, or other belongings that give a sense of the presence of the person who sits there.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of cushion

Adjective

Gentle parenting has become a buzzword on social media, often presented as a calm, connected, and compassionate alternative to traditional discipline.

— Alex Vance, Parents, 25 Oct. 2026
Others discussed overcoming the initial awkwardness of the work and finding satisfaction in helping doctors become more competent and compassionate.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of compassionate

Noun

In the aftermath, Blue Origin has moved with uncharacteristic speed to repair its launch pad to get New Glenn flying again, while investing $3 billion in Florida facilities to support a much higher launch cadence.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, meanwhile, launched three times from January 2025 to April 2026, before a massive explosion on the launch pad during a test of its first stage engines occurred in May 2026.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of pad

Noun

Each panel is different, their subtly shifting shapes recalling those of the shuttle’s heat-shield tiles.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Lily sacrificed her life on that day to protect wee Harry, just a baby at the time of her death, with a love shield.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of shield

Noun

With six laps to go and David Gilliland leading the pack, Logano had Carson Hocevar on his bumper and Ross Chastain in front of him.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Such armor typically consists of an outer sacrificial bumper that is separated from the main craft by space.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 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 1 Nov. 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

Pyrrhic

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes