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as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts that feature writer is sometimes guilty of padding, since his stories often contain colorful details that can't be verified
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in exaggerating
to add to the interest of by including made-up details the journalist was fired for padding certain stories to make them more interesting
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in walking
to go on foot a cat padded silently by
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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 padding
Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026 The mules have a short, 8-millimeter heel that has extra padding for maximum support and comes in four neutral shades. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
John Liu, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026 Egyptian immigrants Azzam and Samra Ahmed are padding their savings by performing for bots in their one-bedroom apartment in Pasadena. —Nilesh Christopher Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for padding
Noun
The plush padding inside keeps your feet secure and snug no matter where the day takes you, while the suede-leather duo offers a striking look while running daily errands. —Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026 The mules have a short, 8-millimeter heel that has extra padding for maximum support and comes in four neutral shades. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea in a bid to lower oil prices – which might mean padding the war chest of a US enemy. —John Liu, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026 Egyptian immigrants Azzam and Samra Ahmed are padding their savings by performing for bots in their one-bedroom apartment in Pasadena. —Nilesh Christopher Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for padding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for padding
Noun
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The second is the storage vessel, which holds the molten lead and maintains its chemical conditioning during the initial filling process or when the facility is undergoing maintenance.— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
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There, a couple dozen workers and volunteers worked all day filling, sewing, and shipping 1,000 sandbags an hour.— Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Williams, of course, worked at NBC for nearly three decades, including an 11-year run at NBC Nightly News that ended 2015 after exaggerations and falsehoods were found in some of his reporting, including reports from Iraq, and from New Orleans after it had been ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
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The novel reads, in retrospect, less like exaggeration than reportage from inside a culture already learning to treat life as publicity.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The comforter is double-sided, so the cooling fabric surrounds you all night long, while the ultra-breathable fill promotes airflow to help prevent that sticky, overheated feeling that some other bedding can cause.— Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2026
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Reemerging at a time when indie-rock and alt-country are mingling to substantial success and when slick, young Americana stars fill stadiums, top mainstream charts, and release data-dumps worth of material, Souled American sounds defiantly anachronistic.— Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To keep the parts from breaking, researchers are fine-tuning the metal to withstand constant stretching and squeezing.— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
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That said, gentle stretching and other movement in the morning can help alleviate discomfort.— Kristen Fischer, Health, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Those assessments would then inform the packing used to transport the uranium.— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
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Even under the most efficient packing arrangement, there will be gaps between neighboring spheres.— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The ballroom includes a military bunker as part of its national security enhancements, and has been under construction for months, but faces legal hurdles.— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2026
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Before the enhancements, only about 50 acres of the island had been developed.— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ultra-concentrated, enzyme-rich formulas deliver best-in-class cleaning power without harsh chemicals, dyes, or fillers.— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
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Cheaper sets often use filler materials or nylon cores that can degrade over time.— Jamie Thilman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His flamboyance never tips into caricature, and along with wit and warmth there is real pain.— The Week UK, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026
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And in mainstream television, Latinos are very often caricatures.— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Padding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/padding. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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