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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
Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
Another is to carve the show closer to the bone, skipping over the contextual padding and focussing on the hundred and seventy-five pieces by Raphael.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea in a bid to lower oil prices – which might mean padding the war chest of a US enemy.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for padding
Noun
Shoshana Bean, Tommy‘s Ali Louis Bourzgui, The Music Man‘s Benjamin Pajak and Broadway newcomer LJ Benet deliver the vocal goods even when the two and a half-hour run time shows some padding.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
Another is to carve the show closer to the bone, skipping over the contextual padding and focussing on the hundred and seventy-five pieces by Raphael.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Their regular season consists of priming pitchers for October, not padding their resumes for awards.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea in a bid to lower oil prices – which might mean padding the war chest of a US enemy.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for padding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for padding
Noun
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The result is a more filling, comforting bowl with minimal effort.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
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Potato flautas, a vegetarian dish with fresh avocado, cotija cheese and a guajillo chile salsa were also well executed, but unfortunately bland, with those mashed potatoes in the filling needing more salt.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And no, that isn’t an exaggeration.—
Rod Stafford Hagwood,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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Even referring to it as a national convention was an exaggeration, since any Stanley get‑together in Dallas would have been a regional rally with, at most, a few hundred salespeople.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There are soaring layers of harmony vocals, a glistening 12-string-guitar part, driving drum fills that speed the song forward.—
Jack Hamilton,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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The blue fill is also a nice marker for anyone who has more than one adjustable pillow and has to keep track of the extras.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Day sessions usually include something energizing like yoga or mat Pilates, while evenings offer stretching and meditation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
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Actor and producer Vidyut Jammwal will play the noble — and limb-stretching — Dhalsim in the upcoming Street Fighter adaptation.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Every single section can be divided into a packing cube.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
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Just think of packing your personal items away as the first step checked off of your packing to-do list!—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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He was convicted of murder and a gun enhancement.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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Detectives were able to obtain a $1 million bail enhancement and secured an emergency protective order for the victim.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Pair tall plants in the back, medium fillers in the middle and trailing varieties tumbling out front for instant garden depth.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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At 4 to 10 inches tall and wide, violas are a perfect filler plant.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In another gallery, Joe Overstreet’s The New Jemima reimagines a racist caricature as a bold, satirical portrait of power, its bright colors dominating the quiet space.—
Carrie Honaker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
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The other women in the friends’ lives — primarily their mothers — don’t fare much better and are reduced to near-caricatures.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Padding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/padding. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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