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
as in softening
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Stick to your long-term strategy and add some cushioning to help your portfolio ride out bumpy patches.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Each year, Congress allocates billions to keep crops in the ground, cushioning the blow from droughts, floods, fires and market swings — a safety net that dates to the 1930s, when the Depression and Dust Bowl put the nation’s food supply at risk.
—Molly Parker, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cushioning
Verb
These lightweight, waterproof shoes feature plush cushioning and a 12mm heel-to-toe drop to absorb impact during heel strikes.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Stick to your long-term strategy and add some cushioning to help your portfolio ride out bumpy patches.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Unless immigration flows stabilize, the Fed may find that cushioning demand with lower rates won’t fully repair hiring, especially in sectors reliant on immigrant labor such as manufacturing or agriculture and in regions already flashing shortages.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Each year, Congress allocates billions to keep crops in the ground, cushioning the blow from droughts, floods, fires and market swings — a safety net that dates to the 1930s, when the Depression and Dust Bowl put the nation’s food supply at risk.
—Molly Parker, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cushioning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushioning
Noun
-
So give yourself a buffer to process the experience—and avoid the rush out of the path of totality.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Bills come due, eventually, in every sense, though reported name, image and likeness earnings nearing $2 million at Utah are a nice buffer.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The reading brought a sigh of relief, easing concerns that the economy was facing a double whammy of a softening labor market with reaccelerating inflation.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Truly rotten pumpkins also don't make good toys or feed for wildlife—whether the wildlife around your home or as feed or entertainment for animals at the zoo or local farm—though pumpkins that are just softening are ideal for this role.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The British government will see a deal it as a vindication of Starmer’s emollient approach to Trump, which has avoided direct confrontation or criticism.—
Zeke Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Its gooey pecan filling sits under cushions of custard and whipped cream.—
Pervaiz Shallwani,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Plus, the removable cushion cover is both water-resistant and easy to clean, ensuring the bed stays fresh.—
Jessie Quinn,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Residents enjoy the standard perks of membership to FAST, including access to the indoor competition pool, outdoor competition pool, splash pad, FAST FIT training room, and more!—
Calesa Township,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Araújo’s long-term goal, however, is to use OnlyFans as a launching pad.—
Taylor Lorenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Here, the researchers recommend a multidisciplinary, compassionate approach to NCGS intervention.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Clear goals, tracking, & communication between local agencies create a lasting, compassionate and impactful response to support the most vulnerable.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To better understand how these storms can wreak so much havoc, our research team created simulations to show how storms interact with Earth’s natural magnetic shield and trigger the dangerous geomagnetic activity that can shut down electric grids.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The head shield, all of those tiles on the bottom, would be stripped off.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
It’s also made with a protective toe bumper to prevent injuries during any unintentional impact.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Luckily, there were no injuries, and the only damage was a puncture to the other driver’s bumper.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cushioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushioning. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share