as in softening
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in buffering
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 cushioning
Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 9 Feb. 2026
These $7 ballet flats with eyelet cutouts are 75% off right now, and shoppers say the shoes offer great cushioning and comfort.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2026
There’s also a distinction between cushioning and overall comfort.
—Outside, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cushioning
Noun
The seating surface might seem too firm for extended use, but this was considered as well, and there is an option with a lamellar structure that provides extra cushioning.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 9 Feb. 2026
These $7 ballet flats with eyelet cutouts are 75% off right now, and shoppers say the shoes offer great cushioning and comfort.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
The industry has hardly remained static in the half-century since, as innovations in materials such as breathable mesh uppers, cushioning foam midsoles, and lightweight EVA outsoles have made running shoes better performing—and more comfortable—than ever.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2026
There’s also a distinction between cushioning and overall comfort.
—Outside, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cushioning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cushioning
Noun
-
Certified financial planner Curtis Congdon, president of XML Financial Group, said investors in buffer ETFs don’t have to be too concerned about missing out on big upside when the market is highly valued.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Enterprise software remains deeply embedded across the corporate landscape, underpinned by multi-year contracts and high switching costs that provide a significant buffer against near-term displacement.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
10 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
-
Jacob Trouba, Alex Killorn and Ross Johnston also scored as the resurgent Ducks built a 4-0 cushion before fending off a late Seattle push.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But the dealer altered the paperwork to make it 84 months, leaving a cushion to inject add-ons into the deal without the customer’s knowledge.—
Dave Lieber,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
When shopping for a hydrating lip balm, focus on nourishing, emollient ingredients rather than those that create a temporary tingle.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Scrub the grates with a scouring pad or soft scrubbing brush.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
These toner pads are soaked in a clarifying blend that gently exfoliates dead skin cells, clears excess sebum, and helps keep pores from appearing clogged.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
15 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
Adjective
-
Depictions of such raw humanity have the capacity to shape us into more compassionate community members, more thoughtful voters and more indignant seekers of justice.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
On the surface, this may sound compassionate.—
Eleanor Sobel,
Sun Sentinel,
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
“Cushioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cushioning. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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