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
The simple broderie anglaise detailing feels classic and timeless without being too plain and the crisp, fresh white cotton creates the perfect base for layering color and texture.
—
Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
In reality, temperatures shifted throughout the day, and standing outside for long stretches felt much colder than expected—so layering up is always better than risking being underdressed.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Men's sweatshirts, pullovers and zip-ups A soft sweatshirt, pullover or zip-up is essential for layering a sporty-casual look, and these picks from Harley-Davidson, Banana Republic and more are must-haves for anyone looking to bulk up their cozy basics.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Yeo suggests pairing this sage green with creamy off-whites and brushed brass accents for a space that exudes warmth, or layering it with white marble countertops or flooring for striking contrast that adds a touch of luxury.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
The actress showed off her whale tail, layering a thong underneath her hot pants.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Interestingly, the engineers have made the Forma in a single continuous piece, so no weak points from seams or added weight from layering materials.
—New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2026
Under the supervision of architect Takashi Imazato, the Tokyo property was reborn in 2019 as a boutique hotel that honors its apartment-era DNA while layering in a refined, contemporary Japanese aesthetic.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
The Decathlon is more of a layering jacket with narrower baffles and lower fill weight.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 27 Feb. 2026
Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
In reality, temperatures shifted throughout the day, and standing outside for long stretches felt much colder than expected—so layering up is always better than risking being underdressed.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Men's sweatshirts, pullovers and zip-ups A soft sweatshirt, pullover or zip-up is essential for layering a sporty-casual look, and these picks from Harley-Davidson, Banana Republic and more are must-haves for anyone looking to bulk up their cozy basics.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Yeo suggests pairing this sage green with creamy off-whites and brushed brass accents for a space that exudes warmth, or layering it with white marble countertops or flooring for striking contrast that adds a touch of luxury.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
The actress showed off her whale tail, layering a thong underneath her hot pants.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Interestingly, the engineers have made the Forma in a single continuous piece, so no weak points from seams or added weight from layering materials.
—New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2026
Under the supervision of architect Takashi Imazato, the Tokyo property was reborn in 2019 as a boutique hotel that honors its apartment-era DNA while layering in a refined, contemporary Japanese aesthetic.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
The Decathlon is more of a layering jacket with narrower baffles and lower fill weight.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layering
Verb
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They are built by stacking multiple memory dies, each thinner than a human hair, with microscopic precision.—
Ian King,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
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And because these trips rely on stacking PTO with existing days off, they can be planned far in advance, which often means better flight deals.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With a global plastics treaty stalled and tens of thousands of items piling up per square kilometer in the Mediterranean’s deepest trench, the gap between the scale of ocean plastic pollution and the world’s response to it is only growing.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
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Soon, bodies are piling up as Spade, the police, O’Shaughnessy and her co-conspirators search for the relic.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Layering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layering. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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