preening

verb

present participle of preen
1
as in gloating

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in primping

Related Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preening
  1. gloating
  2. primping
  3. exulting
Verb
  • If a friend or colleague is suddenly competing with you for attention, or obnoxiously gloating about their accomplishments, remember that you’re allowed to stop participating in the comparison game.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The guards outside the Red Keep surrender, but inside – where the dragons cannot go – is another matter, and the two fight their way to the throne room, where a large contingent of men-at-arms and knights awaits, gloating.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of gloating
Verb
  • Plus, check out the rest of her hair primping routine, below.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 July 2026
  • The small reception desk seems tight on space, but most employees are out in the lobby welcoming guests, straightening pillows in the waterfront lounge, and primping the magnificent flower arrangements anyway.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Definition of primping
Verb
  • Le Guin’s prose and poetry mourn the dead forest and other living Earth beings while exulting at the mountain’s power.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Jenner, like her sister Kim Kardashian, has often turned to Margiela for her most major moments, with an affinity for the house’s sensual, body-exulting designs.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of exulting
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.

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preened
preening
preens
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Cite this Entry

“Preening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preening. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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