PLANING Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

planing 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of planing

present participle of plane

as in smoothing

to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps planed the wood for the picnic table perfectly smooth so that no one would get splinters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

planing

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of plane

as in flying

to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings an eagle planed effortlessly overhead, gliding on an air current

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 planing

Verb

Additional deployments are planing in the coming months, KetteQ said. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 Atapco was planing to give the Aria Homeowner’s Association $100,000 to use at its discretion on infrastructure improvements, such as speed bumps. — Desiree Mathurin april 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026 It is built on an aluminum semi-planing hull designed for high-speed operations, exceeding 45 knots. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026 The Magellano’s Dual Mode Hull, a signature feature that has been on the vessels since the series started, is a semi-planing hull with a vertical bow. — Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025 Besides the Cool Springs location, the brand is also planing to open stores at Opry Mills and West Town Mall in Knoxville this fall. — Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for planing

Verb

When styling this haircut, use a smoothing serum or oil, which will come in handy after the hair is dry.

— Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
Also hard at work are ectoin and panthenol, which are rockstars for reducing inflammation, smoothing texture, and, similarly to beta-glucan, forming a protective seal over your skin to keep moisture in and external stressors out.

— Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of smoothing

Verb

Bombers flying from South Dakota to targets in Iran would cost more in fuel and flying time than those taking off from England's Cotswolds region, which is 3,900 miles closer to Tehran.

— Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Experts who study bats say that, although residents should practice caution, the odds of getting rabies from the flying creatures remain very low.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

After finally shaving his beard off, Colbert concluded the interview by gifting Kimmel something special from his show.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Colbert had no hesitation about taking the tool to his facial hair, shaving it off and returning to his recognizable clean-shaven look.

— Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of shaving

Verb

The ship’s April transatlantic cruise starts in Port Canaveral before sailing to Bermuda, the Azores, Portugal, and England.

— Megan duBois, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026
However, the average vessel isn't exactly sailing around the world for years on end like a commercial freighter.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of sailing

Verb

But while the wider economy has come under pressure, with inflation hovering above 4% and the government trimming its economic growth forecasts, Brazil has also been an economic beneficiary of higher oil prices as a net oil exporter.

— Chloe Taylor,Thomas Da Graca Barlow, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
The hair architect responsible for trimming Lawrence’s texture on Tuesday has not yet been revealed.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of trimming

Verb

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s central plaza, which spreads out beneath the building’s curved, hovering form, was always meant to be a generous civic space.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Clear blue skies are hovering over the Pharmalot campus, where a cool breeze is wafting by and the official mascots are bounding about the grounds in search of critters.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of hovering

Browse Nearby Words

plangent

planing

planish

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Planing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/planing. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of planing

verb (1)

verb (2)

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes