reading 1 of 2

noun

ˈrē-diŋ How to pronounce reading (audio)
Definition of readingnext
1
as in interpretation
a presentation of an artistic work (as a piece of music) from a particular point of view a very bizarre reading of one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies by an alternative theater company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in lesson
something assigned to be read or studied make sure you do the assigned reading for tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

reading

2 of 2

verb

present participle of read
1
as in scanning
to go over and mentally take in the content of he always reads the newspaper in the morning as he eats breakfast

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in predicting
to tell of or describe beforehand the psychic claimed to be able to read his future

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 reading
Noun
The chair itself reclines to 105°, 120°, or 135°, covering different moments from focused work to casual reading or gaming and deeper relaxation. — New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2026 The unofficial course focused on prisoner’s dilemmas, multipolar traps, and readings by Peter Thiel and Paul Graham. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
While teaching a college writing class, Arianna Anaya discovered that an administrator was reading the papers her students uploaded to the school’s learning management software and the comments Anaya made on the work. — Cathy Bussewitz, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 But reading about Piaule, the small, chic getaway in upstate New York, is the next best thing to taking a full month off. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reading
  1. interpretation
  2. lesson
  3. scanning
  4. predicting
  5. version
  6. assignment
  7. perusing
  8. rendition
Noun
  • His other roles included advising basketball operations on NBA rules, CBA interpretation, league memoranda, draft matters, player health, immigration, roster construction, transaction execution and roster compliance.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Located in Kvareli, in the Kakheti region of eastern Georgia, the foundation is devoted to the preservation and exhibition of Georgian contemporary art, as well as to its study and interpretation.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of interpretation
Noun
  • All lessons and activities at the Turnverein have been canceled until further notice, the center said on its website.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Club taught Gen X and millennial kids how to feel ripped off — the ultimate punk lesson.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of lesson
Verb
  • The brain tissues of some animals were imaged with a technique called serial block-face scanning electron microscopy before hibernation, during it, and days after returning to consciousness.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Doubting job descriptions and scanning for scams Candidates have more trust in job postings when companies share clear salary ranges as well as transparent expectations around workload and hours, a new Monster report found.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of scanning
Verb
  • Coming off a season in which the Group of 5 sent two teams to the College Football Playoff, predicting what will happen in 2026 is more difficult than ever.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts who spoke to ABC News acknowledged the difficulty in predicting when the most severe effects of the ballooning debt may materialize but warned that regardless of the answer, the current trajectory is unsustainable.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of predicting
Noun
  • Confession, but questions remain Precisely what happened after Berezovska, Reut and Zhykovych met by the highway is unclear — each of the two men have given their own version of the story.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The frozen version is a sleeper hit, with a slushy texture that is even more drinkable.
    — Jason Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of version
Noun
  • The Miami Marlins shook up their bullpen a bit on Sunday, designated for assignment veteran lefty reliever John King and recalling rookie Jack Ralston ahead of their series finale against the Washington Nationals.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Real confident in my alignment and assignment on the defense, stuff like that, film study.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of assignment
Verb
  • At a Target in Falls Church, Virginia, Sam Fowler and his fiancée, Lindsay Nesmith, were perusing the display of noodles, including Buldak spicy ramen.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Its under-the-radar outlet section is especially worth perusing, with savings on new furniture including accent chairs, sectionals, storage ottomans, and table sets.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of perusing
Noun
  • The moniker has also been given to renditions of the Pegasus 38, Air Max Plus and Air Presto, while a mashup of the Air Max 95 and Roger Federer’s Vapor RF released in 2018.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Christopher Nolan’s rendition of The Odyssey is arguably the movie of the summer.
    — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of rendition

Browse Nearby Words

readiness
reading
reading out
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Cite this Entry

“Reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reading. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reading

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reading

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