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
This new technique is for wash-n-go moisture layering irrespective of porosity, texture, and hair type.
—
Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
Before getting ahead of yourself, that doesn’t mean layering on a million milky toners, a plethora of hydrating serums, and barrier-repairing products.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
What Actually Makes a Winter Lip Combo Work According to Jaikaran, winter lip success is about layering smarter—not heavier.
—Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The classic crewneck is great for layering over a button-down, but the material is soft enough to wear with nothing underneath.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
The duo also helped push reggae further into other territories int the 1990s by layering Latin rhythms into dancehall and reaching their peak of mainstream success in 1996 with their contributions to the Fugees’ Billboard 200 chart-topping classic The Score.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
If replacing your white carpet isn't an option right now, add visual interest by layering a seagrass rug over the carpet.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
Recreate Lopez’s winter outfit formula with similar layering pieces from Amazon starting at just $17.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
This pick has a slouchier fit that works well for layering and lounging.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026
Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
Before getting ahead of yourself, that doesn’t mean layering on a million milky toners, a plethora of hydrating serums, and barrier-repairing products.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
What Actually Makes a Winter Lip Combo Work According to Jaikaran, winter lip success is about layering smarter—not heavier.
—Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The classic crewneck is great for layering over a button-down, but the material is soft enough to wear with nothing underneath.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
The duo also helped push reggae further into other territories int the 1990s by layering Latin rhythms into dancehall and reaching their peak of mainstream success in 1996 with their contributions to the Fugees’ Billboard 200 chart-topping classic The Score.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
If replacing your white carpet isn't an option right now, add visual interest by layering a seagrass rug over the carpet.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
Recreate Lopez’s winter outfit formula with similar layering pieces from Amazon starting at just $17.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
This pick has a slouchier fit that works well for layering and lounging.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layering
Verb
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Since October, Christie Baron has spent weekends stacking round loaves of her leavened, airy bread onto a cart in her driveway and inviting customers to buy the homemade goodness via the honor system.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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Burnick said the new linen layoffs are now stacking on top of the Del Monte closure.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Indian stocks are on track for their worst start to a year in a decade, piling pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to deliver fresh catalysts for economic growth in the upcoming budget.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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When questions began piling up, detailed public reporting quietly stopped.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Layering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layering. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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