pad 1 of 3

noun

ˈpad How to pronounce pad (audio)
Definition of padnext
1
as in notebook
a number of sheets of writing paper glued together at one edge the waitress keeps a pad in the pocket of her apron to write down orders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in bed
a place set aside for sleeping I went back to my pad to get some rest

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in buffer
something that serves as a protective barrier a pad on the chair to keep it from getting scratched

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in roof
the place where one lives welcome to my pad

Synonyms & Similar Words

pad

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to exaggerate
to add to the interest of by including made-up details the journalist was fired for padding certain stories to make them more interesting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pad

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to walk
to go on foot a cat padded silently by

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pad
Noun
Rooms The hotel’s bright, colorful rooms are the perfect landing pad after a long day in the sun. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026 The semicircular blobs are from the carnivoran’s metacarpal pads; five digits extend out, short like a dog’s paws but spread wide like human fingers. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Verb
Some are using the passive income to pad their travel fund; others are reinvesting back into their businesses. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 July 2026 The simple sandals are padded with memory foam, feature non-slip outsoles, and come in both standard and wide widths. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pad
  1. notebook
  2. bed
  3. buffer
  4. roof
  5. exaggerate
  6. walk
  7. tablet
  8. couch
Noun
  • In the portrait, Rousteing holds Rabanne’s iconic chainmail in one hand, with silver metal mesh, as well as a pen and notebook on the table in front of him.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 14 July 2026
  • Brand confirmed that the painting was part of Goudstikker’s collection with the help of a black notebook that was once owned by the collector and catalogued much of his holdings.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 14 July 2026
Definition of notebook
Noun
  • Small, nervous dogs will feel safe and comfy in this furry donut bed.
    — Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
  • Health officials declined to identify the facilities or to specify reasons, other than saying that the long-term care industry opens facilities and increases or decreases beds based on business factors.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
Definition of bed
Noun
  • Without this buffer, storm surge and coastal erosion hit harder, which can threaten homes, roads and other infrastructure — and in worse cases, can force communities to relocate.
    — Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026
  • This gives you a buffer as well as more freedom to time international transfers.
    — Shane Clark, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of buffer
Noun
  • Martinez acknowledges hiring a crew to repair her wood-frame roof.
    — Larry Seward, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • The Roof While the roof may seem like the obvious place for storm leaks, the problem usually isn’t the shingles themselves.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 13 July 2026
Definition of roof
Verb
  • The president designated the gang as a terrorist group and said Maduro had sent it to invade the United States, although some law enforcement officials say the administration exaggerated the threat to justify mass deportations.
    — Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026
  • The best place to start is a sporting culture that exaggerates accomplishments and rewards capitalistic success before the sporting variety.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of exaggerate
Verb
  • Just watching Shannon try to handle a bungee cord is like watching Charlie Chaplin try to walk down the street.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • All of my essentials are packed in my Stowaway, which clips into my weekender as a bag organizer, and can clip out to be worn on its own as a crossbody when walking around during the day or as a clutch when going out in the evening.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Definition of walk
Noun
  • Touchscreen displays are standard for smartphones and tablets, but many computer manufacturers have started incorporating them into their laptop designs.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
  • Easy to use and highly portable X-ray devices that can produce digital images that can be scrutinized on a tablet or even a smartphone would be invaluable to rescue teams in remote areas or tight spaces.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of tablet
Noun
  • Eileen Tyrrell, a 27-year-old bookseller, pulled the cushions off her couch to arrange makeshift seating in her Brooklyn apartment.
    — Grey Battle, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
  • These lightweight pants are great for traveling, running errands, chilling on your couch, and layering over your bathing suit as a beach cover-up.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026
Definition of couch

Browse Nearby Words

pacts
pad
padded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pad. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on pad

Nglish: Translation of pad for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All