pads 1 of 3

plural of pad
1
as in notebooks
a number of sheets of writing paper glued together at one edge the waitress keeps a pad in the pocket of her apron to write down orders

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
as in buffers
something that serves as a protective barrier a pad on the chair to keep it from getting scratched

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

pads

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of pad

pads

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of pad

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 pads
Noun
Soft dry electrodes maintain stable prefrontal contact without conductive gels or disposable pads. — New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026 Don't fret—these headphones feature memory foam ear pads and a durable headband that keeps them secure while maintaining Nothing's minimalist reputation. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026 Qvin has now pivoted to HPV and their diagnostic pads for that disease have already received approval from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration. — Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026 Their removable pads add subtle support that lifts without uncomfortable compression. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026 The soft texture of the dry pads won’t scratch your vehicle’s hard surfaces but will attract and trap dust effectively. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 29 Oct. 2026 In another, guards beat a detainee and hurled sexist slurs while denying her access to the toilet and sanitary pads. — Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 But that difference could come from the XM4C’s ear pads, which are six years newer than the worn ones on my XM4. — John Higgins, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026 Campaign staffers pack sleeping bags and pads, in case they get socked in at a remote village. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
In other words, the additional money that our companies are shelling out to cover higher memory costs ultimately pads these three companies’ bottom lines. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 21 June 2026 Adding the killer’s voice just pads an already too-long book. — Maren Longbella, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 Not to say there aren’t some clunkers, most notably a jokey take-me-out-to-the-ballgame baseball number that pads the second act, but the Flaherty-Ahrens score was and is Ragtime‘s signature achievement. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025 The exchange is indicative of this odd, frustrating, occasionally intriguing project, which pads out scarce but real nuggets of insight with leading questions and endless clips. — Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025 Stanfield is the second new face named this month, after French actor Paul Kircher, as Anderson pads out the ranks of his men’s ambassadors following a rash of appointments on the women’s side. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pads
Noun
  • The best smart notebooks This smart notebook fits in a pocket, has 48 reusable pages and comes with the Pilot Frixion pen required for note-taking.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Lunch boxes, markers, notebooks and notebook filler paper.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Sensory gardens scale down to small patios, raised beds and family-friendly plots, so the concept is not reserved for sprawling landscaped estates.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Sensory gardens can be adapted to small patios, raised beds and family gardens, which is a big part of why the concept has caught on with homeowners.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • With sanctions limiting borrowing and liquid reserves dwindling, analysts warn Russia could exhaust its financial buffers by early 2028 without further tax increases or spending cuts.
    — David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Five years earlier my brother had gotten married, leaving me home alone without the buffers of his distracted affection, his big brotherly insouciance, his rebellious indifference to the emotional chasm widening between our parents.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Early results indicate that the four-college district may soon have the money to repair roofs, modernize classrooms, upgrade heating and cooling systems, improve security and construct new buildings.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • With four manufacturing plants across China and one in Vietnam, the company specializes in products that bind components found in a range of retail products, from vehicle roofs to semiconductors in smartphone, according to its website.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The latter app colors the map, with pink the most light pollution and black the least.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Dyes such as indigo, for example, which colors your favorite blue jeans, are actually intended to fade and will do so throughout the life of the garment.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Trump treads carefully The leaders last met in Beijing just four months ago, and could meet twice more later this year.
    — Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Through rapid-fire verbal repartee, constant close-ups, and frantic cuts, Deramas treads a careful line between tragedy and comedy, the latter a psychological weapon against the former.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This commitment is far superior to the nebulous promises Amazon made in the past and puts the 12 Pro on even footing with the iPad and even Samsung's Galaxy tablets.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
  • New pods In June, Lavazza introduced Tablì in the US, a $129 machine that uses only single-serve espresso tablets made with compressed ground coffee — a shift from its capsules made from plastic and aluminum.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Economic uncertainty is noted for getting voters off their couches and into voting booths.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The adjacent bar feels like a cozy café, with big, comfortable couches and coffee tables topped with design and photography books.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pads. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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