Nouns

(n)shock absorber, shock, cushiona mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses“the old car needed a new set of shocks”
(n)cushionthe layer of air that supports a hovercraft or similar vehicle
(n)cushiona soft bag filled with air or a mass of padding such as feathers or foam rubber etc.

Verbs

(v)cushion, buffer, softenprotect from impact“cushion the blow”