preening

verb

present participle of preen
1
as in gloating

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in primping

Related Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preening
  1. gloating
  2. primping
  3. exulting
Verb
  • The guards outside the Red Keep surrender, but inside – where the dragons cannot go – is another matter, and the two fight their way to the throne room, where a large contingent of men-at-arms and knights awaits, gloating.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • A lot of this was just gloating.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Definition of gloating
Verb
  • The small reception desk seems tight on space, but most employees are out in the lobby welcoming guests, straightening pillows in the waterfront lounge, and primping the magnificent flower arrangements anyway.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Plus, check out the rest of her hair primping routine and some more on-sale options to shop during the retailer's Big Spring Sale below.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Definition of primping
Verb
  • Jenner, like her sister Kim Kardashian, has often turned to Margiela for her most major moments, with an affinity for the house’s sensual, body-exulting designs.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
  • And then there was CMAT, the Irish singer who has already become a European sensation, exulting in a sensational reception for her mainstage set at GJWW, which some attendees went online to cite as the most thrilling full-length performance of the weekend.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of exulting
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.

Browse Nearby Words

preened
preening
preens
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Cite this Entry

“Preening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preening. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preening

Nglish: Translation of preening for Spanish Speakers

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