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
People can run outside for free or use cheaper fitness apps, as well as buy inexpensive walking pads and go to budget gyms. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026 Regulators said customers who purchased the blankets and pads should stop using them immediately. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 Those with a penchant for toner pads or exfoliation should turn to M-61’s PowerGlow Peel—one swipe for a visible glow, no rinse required. — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 Nearly 200,000 heated blankets and pads sold on Amazon have been recalled following burn reports. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026 Instead of practicing in full pads, the veteran of 95 NFL games was told to lift weights, spend some time riding a stationary bike and call it a day. — Chad Graff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Tariffs on cement, road salt and hospital pads were removed and replaced with duties on all-terrain vehicles, some cheeses and motorboats. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026 The ad continues with a provocative montage of Sweeney in different athletic uniforms, like a hockey goalie’s mask, football pads, a baseball catcher’s helmet and a Novig jersey. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026 One is a half-hour test called EndoSure, which detects endometriosis by measuring electrical signals in the gut using sensor pads on the abdomen, with results available to the physician afterward. — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 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
  • The new constructions added nearly 3,000 beds to the state’s capacity for those detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • With beds for ten, this former 1860s church sets the stage for an atmospheric fall trip with friends.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This structure buffers portfolio companies from participants’ immediate liquidity needs.
    — Nate Heeren, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • For example, during good years, the government has accumulated financial buffers, rather than spending the resulting fiscal windfall.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Further along the coast, the Billiton Ekobeach Retreat offers beach villas made from dolken logs and nipa palm leaf roofs.
    — Claire Turrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In addition to sagging roofs and mold issues, buyers notice minor maintenance issues, including peeling paint, loose door handles, and dripping faucets, Ryan says.
    — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • That history still colors how the company talks, less like a supplement label and more like a couple of people who have been through it.
    — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Speaking of the houseboat, the finale treads some familiar ground for Lewis.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This ultrathin material can line the inside of slim smartphones, smartwatches, wearable health trackers, and foldable tablets.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Taking medicines like potassium tablets, vitamin C and more without drinking lots of water can also increase a person's risk.
    — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Amenities and experiences The hotel’s main attraction is its rooftop pool and lounge, which, though a bit small, is nicely outfitted with couches, high top tables and wicker chairs and offers views of surrounding skyscrapers and Biscayne Bay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Storage bays beneath the bus held larger items, including extra clothes, strollers, kitchen equipment and backup food supplies that wouldn’t fit in the drawers beneath the couches.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pads. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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