1
as in loading
to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained
fill the basket with apples
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in packing
to close up so that no empty spaces remain
before starting to paint, fill all the cracks with putty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fulfilling
to do what is required by the terms of
orders received by this date will be filled in time for Christmas delivery of the merchandise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of filling
Victoria Caruso, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Fuel up for the morning with a filling breakfast sandwich and a locally roasted specialty coffee or signature latte.
—India Amos, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
Relish Trays There is no savory snack as beloved as the relish plate, an assortment of raw and pickled vegetables typically served before a meal to perk up your appetite without filling you up.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for filling
Noun
Spring is prime time for making all kinds of airy and bright desserts using fresh berries and jammy fruit fillings.
—Victoria Caruso, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Fuel up for the morning with a filling breakfast sandwich and a locally roasted specialty coffee or signature latte.
—India Amos, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Automation could help at the margins — routing requests, pre-filling forms, or suggesting knowledge-base articles — but the core work still had to be done by people.
—Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
Why natural gas is filling the gap today The US currently generates around 40 percent of its electricity from natural gas, with coal and renewables making up most of the rest.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
Relish Trays There is no savory snack as beloved as the relish plate, an assortment of raw and pickled vegetables typically served before a meal to perk up your appetite without filling you up.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for filling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filling
Noun
-
There are soaring layers of harmony vocals, a glistening 12-string-guitar part, driving drum fills that speed the song forward.—
Jack Hamilton,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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The blue fill is also a nice marker for anyone who has more than one adjustable pillow and has to keep track of the extras.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Edgar Quero got hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Andrew Benintendi.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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But there’s also an imbalance created with loading up that Cirelli line, which is that Point’s unit is far less dangerous.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There is one thing that can ruin your Euro-trip, though, and that’s not packing efficiently.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Guro Reiten is sitting inside her apartment in Norway, in between spending time with her 5-month-old son and packing her life away.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This was the 10th overall pick the Giants acquired after trading All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, fulfilling his trade request amid a contract dispute.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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Cozy nights, redecorating, family affairs or inviting someone sweet into your personal space can feel especially fulfilling.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bring a lightweight coat with big pockets, and start cramming stuff into them.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
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Instead of using an oversized crock or cramming utensils into drawers and making a mess, try hanging them on the wall.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Afghan Whigs never had a consecutive run since forming in Cincinnati in 1986, taking a 13-year hiatus after plugging into six albums, then regrouping again in 2011, and staying put ever since.—
Tina Eves,
SPIN,
23 Apr. 2026
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The deal is Ascentium’s most recent in more than a dozen acquisitions, plugging a gap in the company’s mainland China coverage while deepening its footprint in hot Southeast Asian growth markets.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the core of the story is the certainty that revenge, while occasionally satisfying on a gut level, is corrosive to the soul and not, in fact, a reliable way to meet lifelong pals.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
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In a competitive market, where streamers continue to invest in originals, commercial networks are strong and imports rate well, the result was satisfying for NRK.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In its all-too-human view of life, this is, entertainingly, whatever the opposite of a cloying graduation speech is.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Plus, the jojoba oil gives it a light, inoffensive smell that’s heavenly to inhale compared to the strong, cloying scents of other men’s products.—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Filling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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