PLANING Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

planing 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of planing

present participle of plane

as in smoothing

to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps planed the wood for the picnic table perfectly smooth so that no one would get splinters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

planing

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of plane

as in flying

to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings an eagle planed effortlessly overhead, gliding on an air current

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 planing

Verb

Atapco was planing to give the Aria Homeowner’s Association $100,000 to use at its discretion on infrastructure improvements, such as speed bumps. — Desiree Mathurin april 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026 It is built on an aluminum semi-planing hull designed for high-speed operations, exceeding 45 knots. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026 The Magellano’s Dual Mode Hull, a signature feature that has been on the vessels since the series started, is a semi-planing hull with a vertical bow. — Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025 Besides the Cool Springs location, the brand is also planing to open stores at Opry Mills and West Town Mall in Knoxville this fall. — Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for planing

Verb

Do not keep smoothing things over while your body keeps the receipts.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
Two dermatologists back the RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.

— Anna Traver, InStyle, 31 July 2026

Definition of smoothing

Verb

Breakker connected with a flying cross body over the barricade on Breakker as Cole talked up Evans developing an edge.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
But years later, some of the highest-flying professional clubs have folded due to financial mismanagement, and dozens of soccer officials have been banned or imprisoned, and numerous teams ensnared in an anti-graft campaign.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of flying

Verb

Try roasting it with olive oil and salt, sautéing it and adding it to a pasta or grain bowl, or shaving it with a vegetable peeler and adding the raw strips to a salad for some crunch.

— Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 20 July 2026
And while the results last much longer than shaving, each session typically takes more time, especially when treating larger areas like the legs.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 17 July 2026

Definition of shaving

Verb

On Tuesday, July 28, the Viking Ullur ship was sailing down the Danube River, Europe’s second-longest river that flows from southwestern Germany to the Black Sea.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
That connection comes into focus on the Lake-to-Estate Voyage, sailing from the Kelowna Yacht Club to three of the city’s best vineyards and tracing the journey from water to wine.

— Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2026

Definition of sailing

Verb

Three-year programs typically work by reducing the credit requirement from 120 down to 90 or 100, largely by trimming general education requirements, open electives, and the room for a double major or a semester abroad.

— Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
And trimming too much of this plant can make the tree appear stunted or uneven.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026

Definition of trimming

Verb

But the new flare-up saw oil prices surge again, with the international benchmark Brent crude oil hovering around $90 a barrel early Thursday.

— Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 30 July 2026
Three delivery options During the demonstration, Chaparral first released a 68-pound payload while hovering over the target area.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026

Definition of hovering

Browse Nearby Words

plangent

planing

planish

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Cite this Entry

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“Planing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/planing. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of planing

verb (1)

verb (2)

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