as in stacking
to form or arrange parts or pieces of something on top of each other; to form or arrange (something) in layers
The next step in the recipe is to layer the pasta and the sauce in the pan. We layered the fruit with whipped cream and served it with cookies.
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Recent Examples of layering
Think soft textures, heavy materials, and plenty of layering for warmth and comfort.
—
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Effective lighting involves layering and multiple levels.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
As usual, Coon thrives in ambiguity, layering a seemingly straightforward woman with depth.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
The material is sleek and has a smidge of slip to it which is great for workouts and layering under tight jeans or pants for warmth.
—Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
The approach avoids reliance on a single lidar by layering redundant perception systems.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Wiholl Thermal Rib Knit Long Sleeve This is the kind of layering basic petite travelers like myself should absolutely stock up on.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
The move marked a departure from her recent jewelry style, as the Princess of Wales started wearing a stack of rings in 2024 and continued layering the bling in 2025.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Creating warmth, coziness, and tradition means layering in the personal touches — the kids’ ornaments, family photos, and holiday pillows — that make our home feel both nostalgic and uniquely ours.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Effective lighting involves layering and multiple levels.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
As usual, Coon thrives in ambiguity, layering a seemingly straightforward woman with depth.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
The material is sleek and has a smidge of slip to it which is great for workouts and layering under tight jeans or pants for warmth.
—Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
The approach avoids reliance on a single lidar by layering redundant perception systems.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Wiholl Thermal Rib Knit Long Sleeve This is the kind of layering basic petite travelers like myself should absolutely stock up on.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
The move marked a departure from her recent jewelry style, as the Princess of Wales started wearing a stack of rings in 2024 and continued layering the bling in 2025.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Creating warmth, coziness, and tradition means layering in the personal touches — the kids’ ornaments, family photos, and holiday pillows — that make our home feel both nostalgic and uniquely ours.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layering
Verb
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Amass a roster in the top five in the sport, typically by stacking blue-chip recruits and developing them.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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By stacking these measurements, the researchers reconstructed a three-dimensional map of charge transport with nanoscale resolution, offering a rare look at how electrical pathways form—and break down—inside the material.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Instead of piling up with other tourists at beaches in major hubs like Barcelona or Marbella, do as the locals do and escape to Xàbia.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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Pla2na/Getty Images When money problems start piling up and filing for bankruptcy appears to be the only option, the timing suddenly starts to matter in ways that many people don't expect.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Layering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layering. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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