as in filling
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in packing
to close up so that no empty spaces remain
plugged the hole in the wall with putty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in laboring
to devote serious and sustained effort
plugged away at solving the math problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in promoting
to provide publicity for
the actress is giving lots of interviews to plug her latest movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in shooting
to strike with a missile from a gun
the drug lord plugged the stool pigeon as a lesson for any others who were tempted to talk
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 plugging
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … RATTLED HOST — CNN's Jake Tapper 'very unhappy' after network tightens book plugging.
—FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
In addition, most of the money dedicated to well plugging is expended through contractors.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Oil companies are required to set aside funds, called bonds, that the state can call on to pay for well plugging and environmental cleanup.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Jan. 2026
These items often need daily recharging, necessitating regular plugging and unplugging.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Such plugging used to come in the form of critical scores.
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 May 2016
Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
The latter two moves shore up the bottom of the roster, plugging the last remaining holes this team has, while the Kadri add is arguably the biggest needle-moving acquisition of the deadline.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Anthropic’s Claude Cowork has quickly taken off in the enterprise by plugging into more applications.
—Katie Tarasov,ari Levy, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Wright’s priorities include cutting regulatory red tape so permits can be issued quicker, plugging orphan wells and building out the state’s energy infrastructure.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
But if a well is deserted or an operator insolvent, the state can be responsible for plugging it.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Sadly, then, the state seems more interested in plugging a budget hole than meeting its climate goals.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
Additionally, the definition of a producing well needs to be clarified to hold companies accountable for plugging wells sooner.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Some folks left plugging their ears, but enough stayed to crowd the stage.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
To address the issue, the Center for Biological Diversity is pushing for faster plugging of idle wells, prioritizing the effort near sensitive locations and making oil and gas companies pay for it.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … RATTLED HOST — CNN's Jake Tapper 'very unhappy' after network tightens book plugging.
—FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
In addition, most of the money dedicated to well plugging is expended through contractors.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Oil companies are required to set aside funds, called bonds, that the state can call on to pay for well plugging and environmental cleanup.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Jan. 2026
These items often need daily recharging, necessitating regular plugging and unplugging.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Such plugging used to come in the form of critical scores.
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 May 2016
Verb
No one in my generation remembers the huge labor force of switchboard operators, but in the 1950s there were 340,000 workers physically plugging cords into jacks to connect callers to one another (roughly equivalent to the number of dental assistants today).
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
The latter two moves shore up the bottom of the roster, plugging the last remaining holes this team has, while the Kadri add is arguably the biggest needle-moving acquisition of the deadline.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Anthropic’s Claude Cowork has quickly taken off in the enterprise by plugging into more applications.
—Katie Tarasov,ari Levy, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Wright’s priorities include cutting regulatory red tape so permits can be issued quicker, plugging orphan wells and building out the state’s energy infrastructure.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
But if a well is deserted or an operator insolvent, the state can be responsible for plugging it.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Sadly, then, the state seems more interested in plugging a budget hole than meeting its climate goals.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
Additionally, the definition of a producing well needs to be clarified to hold companies accountable for plugging wells sooner.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Some folks left plugging their ears, but enough stayed to crowd the stage.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plugging
Noun
-
The colorful, flavorful wrappers are as fun as the fillings (which range from cilantro or kimchi pork to butternut squash and shrimp to tofu, mushroom and kale), and the variety of dipping sauces (classic, ginger smash, gochujang and old godmother spicy peanut) make every bite an adventure.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Generously pipe filling into hollow of each egg white half (save any leftover filling in the fridge for another use).—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Joshua was content to play defense in the second half, packing the box in front of goalkeeper Maverick Ramsey who saw 18 shots with 6 on goal after the break.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Speaking over the phone from Los Angeles while packing his bag ahead of flying back home to Copenhagen, Borenstein says the shock hasn’t quite dissipated yet.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Doyley, who felt comfortable with her odds and wanted to continue laboring, argued during the hearing that C-sections carry their own dangers — including a risk of death.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
-
With Anthony Edwards laboring because of a sore right knee, Randle and Ayo Dosunmu stepped in to pick up the scoring slack.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That power has touched thousands and thousands of kids in the region through refurbishing basketball courts, hosting basketball clinics and promoting academic enrichment.—
Kerri Corrado,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
For two decades, Democrats have campaigned among Latinos on the promise of comprehensive immigration reform and an economic policy that would level the playing field, including raising the federal minimum wage, providing universal pre-K education and promoting affordable housing.—
Gary M. Segura,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ball, who has been on a heater of late, set the tone early by showing off his full bag of tricks — shooting 3s off one foot, throwing no-look dimes and outleaping opponents for rebounds, seemingly toying with the Kings at times.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Three other officers returned fire, shooting 32 bullets into the apartment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
People wait to enter the Boulder Theater on the closing night of the 2013 Boulder International Film Festival.—
Libby Smith,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The demolition marks the closing of a chapter and a new beginning, Rodríguez said.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Governments across the continent are struggling with stubborn insurgencies.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Sunday was a busy day at Logan Airport as TSA agents continue to work without pay during the partial government shutdown, though waits remained lower than many struggling with long lines around the country.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Six years ago, there were 237 single-family houses for sale in West Hartford in March, not unusual as Greater Hartford geared up for the spring home buying and selling market, traditionally the busiest season for residential sales.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plugging. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
