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
Worship centers on prayer, the reading and preaching of scripture, congregational singing, and the celebration of the Eucharist. — Stephanie Triplettall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 By that reading, this week’s slide might have had less to do with investors concerned about AI capital expenditures post-earnings, and more with investors taking profits before the event. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
Outside of reading your state-specific code, resources like Wrightslaw and the Center for Parent Rights and Information have searchable databases and topical articles that inform parents of their rights and help break things down. — Parents, 7 Aug. 2026 Right now, my daughter and I are reading the newest Hunger Games book together, which has been really fun. — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 7 Aug. 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 federal government’s new interpretation of Title IX has left Jeffco Public Schools in a bind.
    — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Whatever might be happening on the streets of American cities—or whatever the current occupant of the Oval Office might be like—constitutional interpretation was in safe hands at the highest court in the land.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of interpretation
Noun
  • Generate topical daily lesson plans with engaging hands-on activities.
    — Beth Collums, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Cooking classes, yoga lessons, meditation experiences, and live entertainment are also vacation activities that enhance the body and the spirit.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of lesson
Verb
  • Worse, because the attacker now has data on email threads or company projects in progress, the phishing attack is even harder for a busy staffer (or executive) to flag as suspicious while scanning their inbox.
    — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There are scanning systems, raster scanning systems, and there are spinning mirrors, and there are micro—there are MEMS devices.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of scanning
Verb
  • Seat counts have stopped predicting anything, which means the pricing model underneath thirty years of enterprise software is now unstable in both directions, and everybody selling it knows.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • AlphaFold achieved remarkable accuracy at predicting a protein’s likely three-dimensional structure.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of predicting
Noun
  • Newer versions of the Ford class are expected to cost around $22 billion, the CBO report says.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Known as programmable logic controllers, these devices can be used like an industrial version of home thermostats.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of version
Noun
  • The Sox called up Smith and fellow pitching prospect Tanner McDougal from Triple-A Charlotte before Saturday’s game, optioning pitchers Noah Schultz and David Sandlin to Charlotte and designating pitcher Wikelman González for assignment.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The former top infield prospect the Giants acquired from the Red Sox last week is set to begin an injury rehab assignment at Triple-A, and could soon join the mix.
    — Devin Bradshaw, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of assignment
Verb
  • Makeup Deals As a makeup connoisseur, perusing pages of beauty products was hardly a grueling task.
    — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • Some users such as Courey are also perusing the platform to buy, sell and lease farmland.
    — Lizzie Kane July 18, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of perusing
Noun
  • As Reeves performed her rendition of the anthem, the broadcast caught players and fans trying to stifle their laughter.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Seemingly in an ode to the song’s low-key history, Gadhia opened with a slow rendition of the pre-chorus and on a dark, colorless stage.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 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 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reading

Nglish: Translation of reading for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reading

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