as in softening
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Dissimilar Words
as in cushioning
to lessen the shock of
during my walk an umbrella and thick coat buffered the freezing rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buffering
Joan M. Cook, Time, 12 May 2026
The method used in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) bases lottery rankings on the past two seasons combined, buffering the payoff for any tanking.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Amazon Mesh Wi-Fi System Deal Say goodbye to dropped video calls and buffering nightmares with the Eero 6+ Mesh System.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
Chronic stress maintains an inflammatory state, slows elimination, and increases demand for buffering minerals.
—Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
Heath is a native of nearby Marshall that was obliterated during Helene when the French Broad River buffering the community bulldozed downtown.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2025
Small and fragmented burns, what Roos calls a mosaic of fire, could be more effective at diminishing risk and buffering the effects of climate than bigger, cohesive prescribed burns.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 9 Nov. 2025
If your internet keeps lagging, buffering or dropping out, one of the quickest fixes is restarting your router.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
This means that any hope of signing Paul Skenes to an extension and buffering his performance on the mound with offensive support is probably slim.
—Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Decades of research indicate that psychological flexibility plays an important role in buffering the negative effects of stress and a broad range of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
—Joan M. Cook, Time, 12 May 2026
The method used in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) bases lottery rankings on the past two seasons combined, buffering the payoff for any tanking.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Amazon Mesh Wi-Fi System Deal Say goodbye to dropped video calls and buffering nightmares with the Eero 6+ Mesh System.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
Chronic stress maintains an inflammatory state, slows elimination, and increases demand for buffering minerals.
—Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
Heath is a native of nearby Marshall that was obliterated during Helene when the French Broad River buffering the community bulldozed downtown.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2025
Small and fragmented burns, what Roos calls a mosaic of fire, could be more effective at diminishing risk and buffering the effects of climate than bigger, cohesive prescribed burns.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 9 Nov. 2025
If your internet keeps lagging, buffering or dropping out, one of the quickest fixes is restarting your router.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
This means that any hope of signing Paul Skenes to an extension and buffering his performance on the mound with offensive support is probably slim.
—Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffering
Verb
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That gap between the imagined object and the real one sharpened the launch rather than softening it.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
And in many quarters, the tone is softening.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Meanwhile, emollient vitamin E and softening jojoba seed oil condition your natural nails, leaving them (and the skin around them) feeling softer and more hydrated.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Barrier cream launches this time of year are plentiful, but there’s one that’s really worth your attention: Bubble’s Soft Swerve Barrier Restore Balm, an intensely emollient moisturizer that coats your skin in a nourishing formula that rewards you with a soft, supple complexion over night.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffering. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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