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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
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Recent Examples of padding
Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
Yuki Iwamura Rodón struck out his first two batters in the third before Benge doubled, Bo Bichette and Soto walked and the left-hander threw a high fastball that hit the padding above the backstop.
—CBS News, 16 May 2026
Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
What are those team managers doing with our bucks, padding their kids’ college funds?
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for padding
Noun
Built with a thicker outsole padding than other On shoes, these sneakers rely solely on the cushioning system for a smooth step every time.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
Yuki Iwamura Rodón struck out his first two batters in the third before Benge doubled, Bo Bichette and Soto walked and the left-hander threw a high fastball that hit the padding above the backstop.
—CBS News, 16 May 2026
Verb
Two silhouettes caught on grainy security cameras, padding through a massive, empty aqua park lit only by whatever ambient light existed.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
What are those team managers doing with our bucks, padding their kids’ college funds?
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for padding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for padding
Noun
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Also try her whoopie pies, a take on the New England sweet treat featuring cakelike cookies with an ube cream cheese filling.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
27 May 2026
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While in-hand images aren’t yet available, the style is expected to feature an all-red elephant print upper with white, black, gray and metallic silver filling in the hardware and branding accents.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Noun
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There are a number of driving forces behind this excited exaggeration.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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This description of a county board doing the bidding of county unions is not an exaggeration.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 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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In 33 games with the Dodgers, Freeland collected 23 hits and 2 home runs, walking 11 times.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
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Halverson began walking that student to and from her transport van every day.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The state can help by supporting educator recruitment pipelines (especially in hard-to-fill positions), improving funding models, investing in mental health services and ensuring long-term, sustained investments in literacy and student support programs.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
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The port will create the land for the project through a massive dredge-and-fill operation in the water.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Noun
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Michael Fredericson, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Stanford University and director of PM&R Sports Medicine in the university’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, said recovery time and stretching are essential for athletes of all ages, but especially older adults.—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
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Drawing heavily from imagery captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, Zelinskie's visuals, projected on a wall of the gallery, shifted through wavelengths of light to simulate the astronomical phenomenon of redshift — the stretching of light across space and time.—
Steve Spaleta,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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When buying, look for mushrooms that are firm and consistent in coloring.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2026
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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
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 1 Jun. 2026.
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