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as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts
that feature writer is sometimes guilty of padding, since his stories often contain colorful details that can't be verified
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in exaggerating
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
as in walking
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.
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Recent Examples of padding
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Feb. 2026
The flat shoes have light padding that reviewers found supportive for running errands, and standing for long stretches of time.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2025
This direction—padding the ensemble with social-media-friendly faces—represents more of a nudge toward the future than a massive overhaul.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for padding
Noun
The shawl collar gives extra warmth and padding, and otherwise creates a dignified look—like a smoking jacket without the stink.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Feb. 2026
The flat shoes have light padding that reviewers found supportive for running errands, and standing for long stretches of time.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
Although Cameron maintains a steady polling advantage over Barr, third-quarter filings show he’s fallen further behind in padding his campaign coffers ahead of the May 2026 primary.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2025
This direction—padding the ensemble with social-media-friendly faces—represents more of a nudge toward the future than a massive overhaul.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for padding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for padding
Noun
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As part of a childless couple himself, Zigmont saw a gap that needed filling.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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As for the best filling, that’s completely up to you.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Schultz declined to respond to the litany of accusations, calling them exaggerations and mischaracterizations.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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The assumption was that exaggeration would repel.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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It’s insulated with 900-fill-power down, has a water-resistant shell, and features a hidden phone sleeve.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
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But whether butts fill seats is irrelevant.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There’re proper stretching routines.—
Patrick McEnroe,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Some people still call him that, and theorize that the injuries likely have something to do with the style of the team’s play or its approach to strength and conditioning or stretching and recovery.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Under $100 The SwissGear Sion 21-inch Softside Luggage combines expandable packing with smooth, 360‑degree wheels that make long airport terminals easier to tolerate.—
Brandon Schultz,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
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Currently, the food bank has two interns who attend the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder and started off working in the packing area of the food bank’s new Aurora facility before moving into the kitchen, Knight said.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Salazarmontano also admitted sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter and inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
1 Feb. 2026
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Notably, this enhancement fosters ASML’s EUV economics rather than supplanting them.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Instead of filling shelves and surfaces with decorative filler, minimalists tend to only keep pieces that serve a function, or hold personal meaning.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
4 Feb. 2026
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Two fake firsts, seconds, and salary filler to get Anthony Davis and Trae Young is not too shabby.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The music’s dizzying rhythmic variation is skillful and studied enough that its humor can’t be mistaken for gimmicky internet caricature.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
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Black people as laughingstock, caricature.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Padding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/padding. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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