as in filling
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plugging
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Recharging in this context doesn’t mean plugging your dryer balls in, but rather refreshing them using water.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 18 Jan. 2026
Allow the monitor to air dry before plugging it back in.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Rechargeable lanterns often include an AC adapter for plugging them into an electrical outlet.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
The Korean company’s chief rival launching a foldable phone that fixes one the biggest criticisms of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series, alongside plugging a feature gap in the market, probably isn’t a reality Samsung wants to live in.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Human rights organizations say the government is still plugging away at protesters; that is, plugging them.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The initial response included extinguishing the fire on the sulfur car and deploying water to cool and solidify the leaking material, effectively plugging the leak.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 31 Dec. 2025
Yet the Na’vi are just as often seen plugging their ponytail into an animal, or even into the roots of trees, to share their consciousness.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
These items often need daily recharging, necessitating regular plugging and unplugging.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
Imagine plugging your phone — chockablock with biological and environmental metrics — into a machine at the gym.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Recharging in this context doesn’t mean plugging your dryer balls in, but rather refreshing them using water.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 18 Jan. 2026
Allow the monitor to air dry before plugging it back in.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Rechargeable lanterns often include an AC adapter for plugging them into an electrical outlet.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
The Korean company’s chief rival launching a foldable phone that fixes one the biggest criticisms of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series, alongside plugging a feature gap in the market, probably isn’t a reality Samsung wants to live in.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Human rights organizations say the government is still plugging away at protesters; that is, plugging them.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The initial response included extinguishing the fire on the sulfur car and deploying water to cool and solidify the leaking material, effectively plugging the leak.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 31 Dec. 2025
Yet the Na’vi are just as often seen plugging their ponytail into an animal, or even into the roots of trees, to share their consciousness.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plugging
Noun
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While the soup is like a pot pie’s creamy filling, to mimic the pie’s crust, serve with warm biscuits.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, thin chicken breasts are folded around the filling, quickly breaded and seared for color and crunch, then finished in the oven until juicy and melty.—
John Becker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rain chances People in the Miami-area should plan on packing a rain jacket or an umbrella through Friday.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
-
After sending the cheeseheads packing with the biggest playoff comeback in franchise history, Ben Johnson spiced up the rivalry with some salty language.—
Jori Parys,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the summer of 2024, UNICEF’s representative in Congo suggested that 361,000 children might be laboring in mines in southern Congo, though this number seems implausibly high and drew quick opprobrium from Congolese NGOs that work on the issue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
That’s right, the Patriot did in two seasons what the Dolphins have been laboring since 2008 to achieve.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The core purpose of Taste Addison – promoting Addison's 200+ restaurants – will be reenvisioned to include new, year-round options to support and elevate North Texas' most vibrant dining hub.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Still, the district put full faith in its current coaches, promoting from within.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Baltimore police shooting Police found the man riding a bike on Eastern Avenue, near the Interstate 95 south exit ramp.—
Stephanie Douglas,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The police report said that Goetz checked on each of the men after shooting them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Stakes Of Getting This Right Fink's closing point highlighted a tension worth watching.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Last week’s Celtics-Pacers matchup was decided by a controversial call in the closing seconds.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, the technology has been moving faster than state regulations can accommodate, and lawmakers have been struggling to walk the line between innovation and patient safety.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
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And, for many borrowers struggling with debt, exploring alternatives like debt settlement or consolidation may offer significant relief without the complications that bankruptcy rules can create.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Discover for yourself why this Bedsure Heated Blanket pick is Amazon’s number one best-selling electric throw.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Over the years, Grains and Taps has expanded from selling local and worldwide beer selections to offering their own brews, opened a second location at Pine Tree Plaza and added a restaurant.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plugging. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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