1
2
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of padding
Tim Willert, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Its lightweight cups sit flush against the chest without gapping, and gradual padding and light underwire create a natural shape without looking overdone.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 1 June 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
Mia Williams drove Taylor Tinsley‘s first pitch off the padding in center field for a long single.
—Tim Willert, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Its lightweight cups sit flush against the chest without gapping, and gradual padding and light underwire create a natural shape without looking overdone.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 1 June 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
-
The two most popular fillings are pastry cream and jam made from the region’s Itxassou black cherries, but don’t just try one.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
For the second year in a row, coach Jai Lucas did what appears to be an exceptional job filling needs.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Height exaggeration is one of the oldest and most well-documented forms of self-inflation.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
-
There are a number of driving forces behind this excited exaggeration.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Goldman says Lander is exaggerating the gulf between them.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
-
Some may suspect the president is exaggerating.—
Drew Endy,
Washington Post,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Designed to resemble a California Craftsman-style village, the property’s cliffside paths stay active throughout the day—couples walking hand in hand, families heading toward the beach, and dogs making their morning, afternoon, and sunset rounds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
-
Today, there is a visitor center nearby, along with miles of walking trails.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Peart’s unusual – but iconic – drum fills and tempo changes are perhaps the most complicated in the rock ‘n’ roll canon.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Each spring the skies over central Nebraska fill with a special sound—a rolling, trumpeting, almost prehistoric chorus—as a slew of sandhill cranes descend on the wide and shallow reaches of the Platte River.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The growth of the embryo is vitally dependent on the stretching of the skin, muscles, and ligaments within the woman’s body as a result of hormonal changes to accommodate this transformation.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
9 June 2026
-
To help prepare your body for sleep, experts recommend activities such as stretching, yoga, meditation, prayer, taking a warm shower or bath, reading, or listening to relaxing music.—
Allison Forsyth,
Health,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Now imagine taking three colors—say red, blue and green—and coloring each point on each triangle such that no two adjacent points are the same color.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
13 June 2026
-
The Icy Inferno version’s discs are both transparent, while the other features block coloring for their respective teams.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Apparently, the man had been treading water for about 11 hours.—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Padding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/padding. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
