reading 1 of 2

noun

ˈrē-diŋ How to pronounce reading (audio)
Definition of readingnext
1
as in interpretation
a presentation of an artistic work (as a piece of music) from a particular point of view a very bizarre reading of one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies by an alternative theater company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in lesson
something assigned to be read or studied make sure you do the assigned reading for tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

reading

2 of 2

verb

present participle of read
1
as in scanning
to go over and mentally take in the content of he always reads the newspaper in the morning as he eats breakfast

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in predicting
to tell of or describe beforehand the psychic claimed to be able to read his future

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 reading
Noun
Trautman wanted to inundate the Pacific with the reading materials troops wanted, but there were obstacles. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 The Me+Em x The Booker Prizes reading lists will be available to buy from BookKind, an online bookshop that donates 10 percent of every order value to its charity partners, which include the Booker Prize Foundation. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
Washable rugs from Tumble can transform a bedroom, dorm, apartment, home office, or reading nook without requiring a complete decorating overhaul. — Ethan Stone october 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026 Sethi started writing after reading reports of Afghan refugees being moved out of temporary shelters as Germany took in large numbers of Ukrainians escaping the war. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reading
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reading
  1. interpretation
  2. lesson
  3. scanning
  4. predicting
  5. version
  6. assignment
  7. perusing
  8. rendition
Noun
  • The oversize everyday bag continues to dominate, particularly in supple suede finishes, while mini and micro bags remain relevant through playful interpretations featuring embroidery, charms and decorative details.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For Smith and others like him, competing interpretations have created a high-stakes legal limbo.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of interpretation
Noun
  • A day visit to Uluwatu is worthwhile as well, for even more world-class meals plus postcard beaches, surf lessons, yoga classes, shopping and spa circuits.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The power of finding joy and hope through adversity is also a big lesson.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of lesson
Verb
  • Aaron Roy, the developer of ingredient-scanning app GlutenOrNot, said.
    — Wen Shao, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Therapists begin facials with face-scanning wands and other probes, to measure your lipid shield, pigmentation, hydration and elasticity, and then cater their approach to the precise needs of your skin in that moment.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of scanning
Verb
  • The initiative has not yet produced a universal virtual cell capable of accurately predicting arbitrary biological responses.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
  • That's a much different call than predicting Micron will earn dramatically more profits than the current Wall Street consensus.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of predicting
Noun
  • Demna’s version of Gucci’s iconic Horsebit has an edge that feels both editorial and wearable, particularly for the customer who is looking to add something new to their Gucci collection.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This October, against this newly rumpled and roughneck version of the Milwaukee Brewers, that’s apparently going to be easier said than done.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of version
Noun
  • Matt Strahm was designated for assignment due to poor results, and Lucas Erceg spent time in the minor leagues.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The assignment is one of four games on Kelce’s NFL Network schedule this season.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of assignment
Verb
  • Charmain Ware-Jason of Murphy’s and Sug After Dark Entering VinoTeca on a recent Wednesday evening felt more akin to mingling at a dinner party than perusing a wine shop.
    — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • But few were perusing Skims’ wares, as everyone gathered near the entrance around a larger-than-life faux marble sculpture modeled after Greek statuary.
    — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of perusing
Noun
  • So patience, but also only to a degree, with this rendition of the Heat arguably more in win-now mode than recent iterations of the roster.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The key piece was a rendition of the Melone minaudière, a historic design first conceived in the ’70s, when it was crafted from solid gold.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rendition

Browse Nearby Words

readiness
reading
reading out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reading. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on reading

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reading

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All