cushion

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'cushion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a soft, padded object used to make a surface more comfortable, to support or protect someone or something, or to reduce the shock of a collision or a fall. Example sentence: She put a cushion on the back of the chair to make it more comfortable to sit in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was an alcoholic arrested more than 400 times, but clearly found some kindness in the unexpected surroundings of the House of Detention where she made the cushion in 1879 and presented it to the warden.

The Guardian

Zamora opened the scoring from close range in the second half and then he sealed West Ham's place in the final with an outrageous goal, delicately using his left foot to cushion Harewood's wonderful pass beyond Kelvin Davis in the Ipswich goal.

The Guardian - Sport

At the start of March they were top of the table with a two-point cushion and in fine form but they have taken three points from a possible 18 since.

The Guardian - Sport

Remarkably given their early-season form, Port is far from certain for a top four cushion come September.

The Guardian - Sport

The unexpected addition of the votes has given McGowan's lead a cushion that many analysts expect cannot be overhauled by Mirabella.

The Guardian

Bolster cushion in Seawater, £75 per m, square (at front) in Emerald, £85 per m, by Nina Campbell.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the hours before it was taken to the oven, it lay on a plump cushion stitched of golden thread, and received lengthy in-house spa treatments involving butter, seasoning and the tips of my fingers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The power-sharing government in Belfast will be handed £2bn to cushion the impact of welfare reforms and cuts over the next decade that the parties finally agreed on.

The Guardian

There was a flurry of Dundee activity after the restart but Guidetti's confident strike from 12 yards, after Adam Matthews had set him up, appeared to give the home side a decent cushion.

The Guardian - Sport

I try everything: more cushions, fewer cushions, two small cushions under my knees, a firmer cushion tilted under a softer cushion, a cushion on my lap to rest my hands on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Light pink rose dot cushion, £79, by Hay.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cushion" in a financial context, ensure it clearly indicates a buffer or safeguard against potential losses. For example, "The company built a financial "cushion" to weather economic downturns."

Common error

Avoid using "cushion" simply as a synonym for "support" in all contexts. "Cushion" implies a degree of protection or softening of impact, while "support" is more general. For example, instead of saying "The policy will "cushion" families," consider "The policy will support families" if the intention is not specifically to mitigate negative impacts.

Linguistic Context

The word "cushion" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a soft object used for comfort or protection. As a verb, it means to reduce the impact of something or to provide a buffer, as Ludwig AI suggests and as demonstrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "cushion" functions as both a noun and a verb, conveying the idea of providing comfort, protection, or mitigating negative impacts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. As the numerous examples demonstrate, it's frequently used in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science" contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid misusing "cushion" as a direct synonym for "support" without the implication of softening an impact. Remember to use "cushion" when you wish to show how a particular action or object is providing a security or relaxing measure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soften the blow

Focuses on reducing the negative impact of an event or situation.

mitigate the impact

Emphasizes lessening the severity of an effect.

buffer against

Highlights the protective aspect of shielding from harm or negative consequences.

absorb the shock

Specifically refers to reducing the impact of a sudden or unexpected event.

pad the effect

Suggests adding a layer of protection to reduce the perceived impact.

lessen the strain

Concentrates on alleviating pressure or difficulty.

alleviate the pressure

Emphasizes reducing a sense of burden or stress.

ameliorate the situation

Implies making a situation better or more tolerable.

ease the burden

Focuses on reducing the weight or difficulty of something.

shield from impact

Highlights the protective aspect of preventing direct exposure to negative forces.

FAQs

How can I use "cushion" in a sentence?

You can use "cushion" to describe providing comfort, protection, or a buffer against negative impacts. For example, "The soft pillows "cushion" my head" or "The government implemented policies to "cushion" the economic impact of the pandemic".

What are some synonyms for "cushion" when referring to reducing impact?

Alternatives to "cushion" in the context of reducing impact include "soften the blow", "mitigate the impact", or "buffer against" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "cushion the effect" or should I use another phrase?

"Cushion the effect" is grammatically correct and widely used. It suggests reducing the negative impact of something. Other options include "lessen the strain" or "ameliorate the situation", which offer similar but slightly different connotations.

What's the difference between "cushion" and "support" in a sentence?

"Cushion" implies a buffer or protection against something negative, while "support" generally means to provide assistance or help. For example, a financial "cushion" protects against losses, while financial support simply provides aid.