1
as in loading
to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained
fill the basket with apples
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in packing
to close up so that no empty spaces remain
before starting to paint, fill all the cracks with putty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fulfilling
to do what is required by the terms of
orders received by this date will be filled in time for Christmas delivery of the merchandise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of filling
Parents, 6 June 2026
Expect six to nine layers of vanilla sponge cake sandwiched between a custard or creamy filling.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Lilyanna D'amato, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026
The series seems to be filling a need.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for filling
Noun
But the squishies may also contain fibrous tremolite, a material better known as asbestos, in the filling.
—Parents, 6 June 2026
Expect six to nine layers of vanilla sponge cake sandwiched between a custard or creamy filling.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Adjective
Automation could help at the margins — routing requests, pre-filling forms, or suggesting knowledge-base articles — but the core work still had to be done by people.
—Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
Holzinger has spent the past decade building a reputation as one of Europe’s most uncompromising performance artists—filling opera houses and theaters with motorbikes, helicopters, heavy machinery, nudity, and feats of endurance that test what a body can withstand.
—Lilyanna D'amato, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026
The series seems to be filling a need.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for filling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filling
Noun
-
Peart’s unusual – but iconic – drum fills and tempo changes are perhaps the most complicated in the rock ‘n’ roll canon.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Each spring the skies over central Nebraska fill with a special sound—a rolling, trumpeting, almost prehistoric chorus—as a slew of sandhill cranes descend on the wide and shallow reaches of the Platte River.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
The mouthfeel is smooth and substantial, richer than many entry-level bourbons yet not syrupy or cloying.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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And also very joyous without being sentimental or cloying.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Sandwich had to switch pitchers in the eighth inning, and Hamilton-Wenham responded by loading the bases with no outs.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
-
The Mets put pressure on Vasquez by loading the bases with no outs.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Keep scrolling for even more vacation-ready finds that’ll make packing for summer trips a whole lot easier — and, more importantly, far less expensive.—
Aashna Gheewalla,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
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Originally a sweet rice fritter served with café au lait, Muhammad turned it savory, packing his batter with salmon for a more substantial bite.—
Jessi Roti,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 June 2026
Verb
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By traveling to the Canary Islands, Leo is fulfilling a wish of Pope Francis to minister to the many migrants who arrive on the Spanish archipelago after risking their lives to reach Europe from Africa.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
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The question arises as to how effectively Maryland’s Republican Party is fulfilling its responsibilities.—
Anirban Basu,
Baltimore Sun,
5 June 2026
Adjective
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The researchers say these foods - things like salty chips, sugary sodas and prepackaged meals - which now dominate the American diet, have become major drivers of poor health, and the time to act is now.—
Maria Godoy,
NPR,
9 June 2026
-
Choose water over sugary beverages.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s cramming too many homes on limited acreage, especially in an area where traffic is already dangerous because of so many new developments, two neighbors told the board to applause from the Town Hall audience.—
Joe Marusak
May 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2026
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Clark agreed with Reinhart’s observations, but warned that the four-day workweek wasn’t so much as cramming a 40-hour week into four days as a genuine reduction to 32 hours, one that respected an employee’s life outside of work.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The Patriots had held possession in the overtime period since the initial draw control, but the tenacious Notre Dame Academy defense was plugging gaps exceptionally well.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
-
Wipe off any soapy residue, then allow the lights to dry completely before plugging them back in.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Filling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filling. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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