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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
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Recent Examples of padding
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2026
Instead of feeling like the padding flattens out halfway through the day, these stay soft and supportive mile after mile.
—Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Netflix’s The Waterfront also centers around a small-town family running a failing fishing business and padding their pockets by helping cartels smuggle drugs using their fishing boats.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for padding
Noun
Cover yourself with thick padding, mattresses, and blankets.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2026
Instead of feeling like the padding flattens out halfway through the day, these stay soft and supportive mile after mile.
—Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
But what Mom noticed most were the thoughtful touches—yoga mats in the closet, dogs padding through the lobby of this pet-friendly property, bikes ready for guests to explore.
—Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Netflix’s The Waterfront also centers around a small-town family running a failing fishing business and padding their pockets by helping cartels smuggle drugs using their fishing boats.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for padding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for padding
Noun
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The colorful, flavorful wrappers are as fun as the fillings (which range from cilantro or kimchi pork to butternut squash and shrimp to tofu, mushroom and kale), and the variety of dipping sauces (classic, ginger smash, gochujang and old godmother spicy peanut) make every bite an adventure.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Generously pipe filling into hollow of each egg white half (save any leftover filling in the fridge for another use).—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Free of the trappings and exaggerations of the 1980s, fashion had turned to celebrating clothes in their simplest, purest form, with invisible seams and clean lines, devoid of embellishments and in a strictly neutral, pattern-free palette.—
Valentina Bottoni,
Vanity Fair,
13 Mar. 2026
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Clearly that’s an exaggeration.—
Omar Kelly
March 13,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Peel, fill, and garnish shortly before serving for the best texture.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Bars across the city fill with pub fare, while televisions tune to soccer matches as crowds gather to mark the holiday.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Whether due to discoloration, pilling, or elastic stretching, bed sheets start to show their age over time.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
13 Mar. 2026
-
After some stretching and instruction, I was let loose in the Atlantic.—
Austin Bush,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Rather than spending their time packing, unpacking, and setting up the tent, a family with kids can get straight to gathering around a fire or challenging each other to ever-lengthening cold plunges in the spa.—
Naomi Tomky,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Dokotoo Pullover Sweater Of course, no packing list is complete without a sundress, and this flattering Grace Karin maxi is hard to beat.—
Isabel Bekele,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Certainly the government has a role to play in helping synagogues, churches, mosques, schools and others in putting up security barriers, training security officers and those physical security enhancements.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
While this may confine a human’s dream of immortality to solutions that rely on technological enhancements, bio-hacking your body, or science-fiction level technology that relies on novel physical laws and/or phenomena, there’s still plenty that relativity has to say about living forever.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The old Brewmaster’s office has been converted to a lovely courtyard, and in Elephant Cellar—named after the giant brew tanks—original caps still line the wall, and 3,000-pound bottle fillers have become one-of-a-kind chandeliers.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
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Lego Creator 3-in-1 Cute Bunny What could be more perfect than an Easter basket filler for teens than a bunny Lego set?—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Holtz in his later years became something of a caricature, like an actor who leans into the over-the-top quirks of his role.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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Barbara isn’t a caricature but a deeply human portrait of a woman whose worldview swings wildly between moral superiority and intense self-doubt, both extremes that foreclose human connection.—
Isle McElroy,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Padding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/padding. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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