as in to soften
to lessen the shock of
a substantial nest egg helped to cushion the sudden loss of her job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cushion
Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
The vacuum converts from an upright device into a handheld to clean sofa cushions, car seats, windowsills, and other above-ground surfaces.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
As for McDermott, his officiating commentary was strong stuff by today's standards, but nothing compared to the distant past, when more owners lived and died with each week's results, without billions in net worth to cushion their disappointment.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cushion
Noun
Elijah Strong and Eli Ellis hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the Gamecocks a 56-52 lead, and South Carolina later built a five-point cushion with just over eight minutes remaining.
—Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
The vacuum converts from an upright device into a handheld to clean sofa cushions, car seats, windowsills, and other above-ground surfaces.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
Beyond exfoliation, panthenol, adenosine, and glycoproteins help hydrate and add a little bounce back, while macadamia seed oil keeps the finish cushioned rather than tight.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
As for McDermott, his officiating commentary was strong stuff by today's standards, but nothing compared to the distant past, when more owners lived and died with each week's results, without billions in net worth to cushion their disappointment.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cushion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushion
Noun
-
So this time, Erik Spoelstra’s team gave itself more of a buffer, going up 22 in the first half on Friday night in Boston.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The city’s 1,000-foot buffer rule, to distance legal shops from child-centric places, exceeds state rules that call for a distance of at least 600 feet.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Williams did not explicitly mention tennis, or any sport, in her Super Bowl advert for Ro, but her focus on movement and wellbeing in the context of her softening position on the possibility of a comeback was striking.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
On most prestige shows, a friendship between two women from disparate backgrounds would serve as an emotional anchor, softening both characters.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mill Creek Pool House reconstruction and installation of a splash pad (coming fall 2026 to spring 2027).—
Kendrick Calfee
February 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The wireless charging pad, according to the manufacturer, charges faster.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Gurus can deliver millions of devoted followers as a consolidated vote bank, and in return politicians may provide a shield of patronage, according to Ronki Ram, a professor at the Institute for Development and Communication in Chandigarh, who has researched Singh and the Dera Sacha Sauda.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In 1651, Thomas Hobbes used the Leviathan to represent a great monster made up of tiny individual elements (the shields).—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And that’s on top of all the amenities found throughout the Poconos Mountains resort, which include indoor and outdoor pools, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, bumper boats and go-karts, disc and mini golf, and fishing docks.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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In an update Wednesday, police said the driver briefly approached witnesses on scene and picked up what was believed to be the car's bumper before fleeing in an unknown direction.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cushion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushion. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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