cushion
[noun]
Synonyms:
- pillow, beanbag, bolster, hassock, headrest, pad
[verb]
Synonyms:
- soften, dampen, deaden, muffle, stifle, suppress

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. cush‧ion¹ S3 /ˈkʊʃən/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: coissin, from Vulgar Latin coxinus, from Latin coxa 'hip']

1. a cloth bag filled with soft material that you put on a chair or the floor to make it more comfortable ⇒ pillow:
a velvet cushion
a cushion cover

2. something that stops one thing from hitting another thing:
Good sports shoes should provide a cushion when running.

3. [usually singular] something, especially money, that prevents you from being immediately affected by a bad situation
cushion against
Savings can act as a cushion against unemployment.

4. the soft rubber edge of the table used for playing billiards or snooker

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. cushion² verb [transitive]

1. to make the effect of a fall or hit less painful, for example by having something soft in the way:
His landing was cushioned by the fresh snow that had fallen.

2. to protect someone from an unpleasant situation or the unpleasant effects of something
cushion the blow/impact (of something)
generous leaving allowances to help cushion the blow of redundancy
cushion somebody from/against something
Parents today often feel their children should be cushioned from the outside world.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

cushion
noun
ADJ. plump, soft He sank back into the soft cushions of the sofa.
sofa
VERB + CUSHION plump (up) She plumped up the sofa cushions before the guests arrived.
CUSHION + NOUN cover
PREP. on a/the ~ I rested my elbow on a cushion.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲