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
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 The center console, meanwhile, now gains a pair of magnetic wireless charging pads. — New Atlas, 24 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 The sensor has a 90-degree horizontal and 50-degree vertical field of view and is powered by a single CR123A battery, which is included along with adhesive mounting pads and a user guide. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026 Brady Tkachuk quickly spun to face Ullmark and shoved the puck under the goalie’s pads for his seventh goal of the season. — Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 AHAs show up in everything from cleansers and toners to serums, pre-soaked pads, and even body lotions. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026 Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy boosters come back to Earth on landing pads near the launch site or on ships at sea downrange. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 20 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
  • Similar views can be had from the bathhouse, where the indoor pool is lined with lovely wide lounge beds and wraparound windows for picturesque lie-downs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Airbnb guests can say goodbye to checkout chores like washing dishes, stripping beds and taking out the trash under a new policy announced this week.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • Diversifying out of China lengthened it, vendors have added their own buffers into development to absorb retailer changes, and physical disruptions like the Red Sea reroute stretch it further, so the calendar is already long before goods even move.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Were those outbreaks traced to flooding from unusually heavy rainfall, leaking roofs, inadequate humidity control or some combination of factors?
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Strong building codes, effective enforcement, stronger roofs, protected openings and sound roof-to-wall connections can interrupt the expensive cycle of destruction and reconstruction.
    — Kevin M. McCarty, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 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
  • Material As with most accessories for tablets and computers, the more affordable products tend to be made from plastic.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • That includes certain cameras, tablets, and drones with a microSD USH-I slot.
    — Brad Bourque, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The PrinceDeco Stretch Sofa Slipcover is built for oversized couches, with an ultra-stretchy fabric that covers deep seats and wide arms without a struggle.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • My accommodations unfolded in a graceful series of rooms with couches, a four-poster bed, and a dual-vanity bathroom.
    — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pads. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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