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
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
Paula Kane, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
Less social media and gaming means kids can spend more time interacting with friends and family, going outside, getting some exercise, or reading.
—Katherine Lee, Parents, 13 Mar. 2026
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
The other piece has always been reading books.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reading
Noun
Each June, Bloomsday is celebrated with readings from James Joyce’s fiction at locations across the city.
—Paula Kane, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
Less social media and gaming means kids can spend more time interacting with friends and family, going outside, getting some exercise, or reading.
—Katherine Lee, Parents, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Last year’s 12th Annual Oscar Special saw Turkington’s alter ego achieve a lifelong dream of interviewing Eric Roberts, only to waste the opportunity by spending the entire interview reading off running times of Roberts’ movies.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
The other piece has always been reading books.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reading
Noun
-
The process and outcomes are shielded from public view under the department’s interpretation of a court decision.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
If that interpretation holds up, some taxpayers who were charged penalties or interest during that stretch may be able to seek refunds or have those charges removed.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Generosity transforms the lessons of Ramadan into something visible, showing how faith can be expressed through action.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The lesson of 1994 is not simply that interest rate bets can go wrong.—
Jodi Balma,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Later in the afternoon, a small boy walked into the food pantry holding his mother’s hand, his eyes scanning the room while his mom quickly grabbed bread and looked for a lime.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
At her home on Vancouver Island, the Canadian-American actor spends her days scanning the chop for whales, not floundering swimmers.—
Andrea Sachs,
Washington Post,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That’s according to the National Weather Service, which is predicting a windy weekend followed by a heat wave.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
-
For the most part, users of both Polymarket and Kalshi did an excellent job predicting this year’s Oscar nominees.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Torque-vectoring control and performance braking package The four-wheel-drive version of the Ti3 adds a series of premium features aimed at improving performance, comfort, and the overall driving experience.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
But what October 7th did was create the political possibility that the most extreme version of settlements, which had been on the shelf for many years, could be accelerated and pushed past the finish line.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If the plan had been to run the Kennedy Center into the ground so completely that shutting it down was the only option, Grenell aced the assignment.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Comps are tough for this story about a junior high science teacher whose forced into a covert government assignment and finds himself at the other end of our universe.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Because let’s face it, perusing shelves and scrolling online for the right products sometimes feels like a chore.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The likes of Interview editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg and German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans have been spotted perusing the fair’s textiles, tableware, lighting, scents, ceramics, and furniture from independent designers, architects, heritage brands, family-run companies, and galleries.—
Katherine McGrath,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This flowery felt iteration from fall 1999 proves that a good silhouette is a blank canvas for any creative director’s vision (just take a look at the latest renditions by Maria Grazia Chiuri, hot off the 2026 runway).—
Rosie Jarman,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Styles rendition is reverent to the original, first released in 1985.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reading. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
