cushioning 1 of 3

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

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cushioning

2 of 3

adjective

cushioning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of cushion

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
Boneless couches are having an internet-viral moment, thanks to their simple convertibility and plush cushioning. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026 More than 1,300 customers have awarded the sneakers a five-star rating, praising the durability and cloud-like cushioning in reviews. Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
The padding is made of ultralightweight foam, which keeps the shoe’s mass as low as possible while still providing cushioning for the foot. Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2026 These also have an OrthoLite insole, which adds cushioning and arch support for a light, springy feel. Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cushioning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushioning
Noun
  • The world has burned through oil inventories at a record speed as the Iran war throttles flows from the Persian Gulf, eating into the very buffer that protects against supply shocks.
    Grant Smith, Fortune, 9 May 2026
  • To manage this risk, the Ingenuity team strictly capped rotational speeds at 2,700 rpm and maintained a safety buffer to avoid the unpredictable physics of the sound barrier and potential turbulence from Martian dust devils.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • After a decade of animosity, opinion polls show Americans’ views of China are softening, especially among the young.
    Andy Browne, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • With hindsight perhaps softening memories of sunstroke, cast members and a number of below-the-line crew now fairly rhapsodize about the uniqueness of the shoot.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Cubs added two more runs in the fourth that gave right-hander Colin Rea a bit of a cushion.
    Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • On Saturdays, when the farmers market is in full swing just across the street, diners sink into velvet cushions amid planters filled with marigolds and butterflies.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
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
  • Barrier cream launches this time of year are plentiful, but there’s one that’s really worth your attention: Bubble’s Soft Swerve Barrier Restore Balm, an intensely emollient moisturizer that coats your skin in a nourishing formula that rewards you with a soft, supple complexion over night.
    Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Hathaway, on a two-on-one with Luke Glendening, saw his point-blank slam-dunk try denied by the left pad of Andersen, and in the closing seconds, Dvorak’s shot from the slot, set up by Konecny, rang off the inside of the post.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 10 May 2026
  • The fancy new mops that have a pad are able to get under the toilet with no issues.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Golov argued that a nuclear-only agreement would leave Iran free to rebuild a missile shield protecting a future nuclear breakout.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
  • The all-gold logo, a feature in line with the president's taste as he's designed his signature properties and parts of the White House, also features a crest shield over the bird’s body with stars and stripes.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Addressing it requires a comprehensive and compassionate approach.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • Contemporary, timeless, and deeply intimate in its candor, Scenes From The Divide honored all viewpoints about Mamdani’s potential impact on the Jewish community by anchoring the title in a thoughtful, compassionate lead seeking understanding from voters.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Another example is certain Volkswagen Beetles, where servicing the cooling system fan or air‑conditioning condenser requires removal of the bumper cover and both front fenders.
    Hartford Courant, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The front bumper meant nothing to the mower.
    Joe Salas April 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cushioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushioning. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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