as in exaggerated
to add to the interest of by including made-up details
the journalist was fired for padding certain stories to make them more interesting
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as in stretched
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Recent Examples of padded
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
The complex, situated near the middle and high school, would feature dugouts, a padded backstop, field lights, fencing and scoreboards, as well as a dual-lane batting cage.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
The padded arms are a nice touch, too—perfect for curling up with a book or using as an accent chair in the bedroom.
—Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2025
The padded laptop sleeve is a lifesaver, and the multiple zippered compartments make finding things easy.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
The instrument also comes with a padded case, an adjustable shoulder rest and a free tuner.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
Its cushioned earpad and padded headband allow for all-day wear without ear fatigue.
—PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2025
Per The Athletic’s Josh Kendall, Walker has missed more than half of Atlanta’s padded workouts this month because of hamstring and groin injuries.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Constructed with a padded memory foam insole, the boots are designed to prevent achy feet and provide long-lasting comfort.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
The Phillies padded his start with an extra day in an attempt to change something.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
The cushions are thickly padded with a foam filling, and the chair comes with a matching accent pillow.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
And because the project was never rebid, the public has no way to know whether the price is fair — or padded.
—Layla Law-Gisiko, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
The interior of the Huarache is fully padded.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
The Kroser Laptop Backpack is water-repellent and designed with a large primary pocket that’ll fit all your travel essentials without a second thought, and the back laptop pocket is well-padded with foam for an extra layer of protection.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025
The Padres padded the back end of their starting rotation at the trade deadline with left-handers Sears and Cortes.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The heel is extra padded for comfort and designed to support rocker-like movements, which would include pulling back for a serve.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Ladies, leg warmers and padded shoulders have never looked better on you than when driving a TR7.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
The complex, situated near the middle and high school, would feature dugouts, a padded backstop, field lights, fencing and scoreboards, as well as a dual-lane batting cage.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
The padded arms are a nice touch, too—perfect for curling up with a book or using as an accent chair in the bedroom.
—Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2025
The padded laptop sleeve is a lifesaver, and the multiple zippered compartments make finding things easy.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
The instrument also comes with a padded case, an adjustable shoulder rest and a free tuner.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
Its cushioned earpad and padded headband allow for all-day wear without ear fatigue.
—PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2025
Per The Athletic’s Josh Kendall, Walker has missed more than half of Atlanta’s padded workouts this month because of hamstring and groin injuries.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Constructed with a padded memory foam insole, the boots are designed to prevent achy feet and provide long-lasting comfort.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The hosts padded their lead in the fourth.
—Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
The Phillies padded his start with an extra day in an attempt to change something.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
The cushions are thickly padded with a foam filling, and the chair comes with a matching accent pillow.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
And because the project was never rebid, the public has no way to know whether the price is fair — or padded.
—Layla Law-Gisiko, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
The interior of the Huarache is fully padded.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
The Kroser Laptop Backpack is water-repellent and designed with a large primary pocket that’ll fit all your travel essentials without a second thought, and the back laptop pocket is well-padded with foam for an extra layer of protection.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025
The Padres padded the back end of their starting rotation at the trade deadline with left-handers Sears and Cortes.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The heel is extra padded for comfort and designed to support rocker-like movements, which would include pulling back for a serve.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for padded
Adjective
-
Despite this pullback, the stock still trades at a stretched nine times trailing revenue—well above its historical average of three times.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The attendants’ mint green uniforms, shaped like the traditional Vietnamese national costume, áo dài, with embroidered lining said to be inspired by the railway tracks, accentuated the air of a bygone era.—
Anna Haines,
AFAR Media,
26 Aug. 2025
-
There are options for embroidered or printed basketball jerseys.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Digestive problems, such as an enlarged esophagus or colon, can lead to trouble eating or going to the bathroom.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Between 20% and 30% of people who contract Chagas disease could develop serious heart or digestive problems, risk getting an enlarged heart, colon or esophagus, or risk heart failure or cardiac arrest, per the CDC.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The look actually consists of two pieces–an embellished bustier and skirt, featuring another sweetheart neckline and accessorized with a birdcage veil in front and a cathedral length veil in the back.—
Alexandra Macon,
Vogue,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Gerber opted for a romantic Givenchy dress with a lace top and sheer embellished skirt, while Pullman dressed up in a bow tie and tuxedo.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For private individuals, the inflated costs are inconvenient but bearable.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The result is a toxic mix of inflated expectations, disillusioned boards, and wasted budgets that lead to the 95% figure above.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The actress stepped out in New York City wearing a pair of retro-inspired, deep blue flare jeans with exaggerated bell hems.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Wrangler Retro High-Rise Trumpet Flare Jeans For a more statement-making option, try these Wrangler jeans with an exaggerated trumpet flare.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Getty Images The committee's move followed a June Federal Railroad Administration compliance review that concluded the California High-Speed Rail Authority lacked a viable path to complete the project on time or on budget and flagged overstated ridership projections and other management failures.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Padded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/padded. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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