The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Cushion \Cush"ion\ (k[oo^]sh"[u^]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Cushioned (-[u^]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Cushioning.]
   1. To seat or place on, or as on a cushion.
      [1913 Webster]

            Many who are cushioned on thrones would have
            remained in obscurity.                --Bolingbroke.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To furnish with cushions; as, to cushion a chaise.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To conceal or cover up, as under a cushion.
      [1913 Webster]

   Cushioned hammer, a dead-stroke hammer. See under
      Dead-stroke.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

cushioning \cushioning\ n.
   soft or resilient material used to fill or give shape or
   protect or add comfort.

   Syn: padding.
        [WordNet 1.5]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

cushioning
    n 1: artifact consisting of soft or resilient material used to
         fill or give shape or protect or add comfort [syn:
         padding, cushioning]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

26 Moby Thesaurus words for "cushioning":
   abating, allaying, alleviating, assuaging, blunting, chastening,
   dampening, damping, deadening, diminishing, dulling, easing,
   laxation, lessening, mellowing, mitigating, mollification,
   mollifying, padding, reducing, relaxation, relaxing, softening,
   softening-up, subduing, tempering