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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
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
The headband is plastic with a soft silicone padding on the bottom.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Their regular season consists of priming pitchers for October, not padding their resumes for awards.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for padding
Noun
Although lightweight, the shoe doesn’t compromise on support — it’s designed with a memory foam sole that absorbs impact and provides an extra layer of padding.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
The headband is plastic with a soft silicone padding on the bottom.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
Verb
What are those team managers doing with our bucks, padding their kids’ college funds?
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Their regular season consists of priming pitchers for October, not padding their resumes for awards.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for padding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for padding
Noun
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The menu at Eggroll Company puts a creative spin on classic egg rolls with oversized, fried-to-order creations packed with bold fillings.—
Evan Moore
May 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2026
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The filling features a few savory stars — aged Gruyère cheese, Swiss chard, lean Canadian bacon, onion and garlic.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Each reiteration and exaggeration of Mary’s bad behavior is another civic stroke of the chisel that perfects the monumental Lincoln in our collective imagination.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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And half the conference isn't an exaggeration, considering Sankey's prior remarks.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Apple just settled a class-action lawsuit for exaggerating the AI capabilities of its newest iPhones.—
Vitaliy Katsenelson,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
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The league decided to introduce postgame flop fines in the 2012-13 season where plays were reviewed after games and those individuals were fined for exaggerating contact.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Luke Chau, a senior left-hander, threw a complete game two-hitter, striking out three and walking one.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Gallagher threw 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball before walking Jackson Oman in the seventh, who came in to score.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Eat your fill of bivalves at the Niantic Bay Oyster Festival in September, or celebrate East Lyme Day in July with fireworks and live music.—
Amy Thomas,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
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Each fill provides up to five hours of burntime, and the set also includes a metal snuffer to extinguish the flames.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Later in the day, meditation sessions are also free for guests, one of the many options from the activity calendar that includes garden cricket, croquet, volleyball, basketball and bocce ball activities as well as core exercise and stretching classes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
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With cottages in the Malibu mountains and a stone mansion in Hudson Valley, The Ranch combines early mornings, long mountain hikes and strength training with yoga and stretching.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Verb
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To understand that definition, put yourself in the position of the verifier in the map-coloring example.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
11 May 2026
-
Orange and blue start coloring the sky.—
Dana Munro,
Washington Post,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The actress — who is currently treading the boards as Connie Francis in the hit Broadway musical about crooner Bobby Darin's life, Just in Time — took to Instagram Stories over the weekend to call out audience members for shouting at her during performances.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
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But even the past shows signs of treading water, with the team returning to schoolgirl squabbles while their survival isn’t in immediate danger.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Padding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/padding. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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