smooth out
phrasal verb
smoothed out; smoothing out; smooths out also smoothes out
1
: to make (something) smooth or flat
Help me smooth out the tablecloth.
After we dug up the soil, we smoothed it out before we planted the seeds.
2
: to make (something) easier by removing or dealing with problems
We will smooth out the election process by next year.
She tried to smooth things out with her daughter-in-law, but the damage was done.
Examples of smooth out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shapewear shorts are a must-have for anyone looking to smooth out their lower half.
—
Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 12 June 2024
Being smart about when to depart and return can make a huge difference in terms of traffic—and smoothing out other logistics.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2024
In testing, smoothing out a 1:33 (min:sec) clip from a moving tram took 2:38, but all but the biggest shakes were pleasingly smoothed out.
—PCMAG, 1 May 2024
Her strategy is to smooth out all the contradictions and breaks in Russian history by arguing that everything went well when the Russian state was strong.
—Iver B. Neumann, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2017
Provided you're not deemed a security threat, you'll be given a redress number to add to your airline bookings, which will help smooth out your airport security experience in the future.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2024
Brush the decoupage medium onto the back of a paper strip and apply it to an egg, smoothing out the excess glue and air bubbles, and repeat until the egg is covered.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2024
Not everyone wants to travel with a portable steamer or trust notoriously finicky hotel irons to smooth out their clothing, so investing in wrinkle-free materials from the jump is a great way to cut down the obstacles between you and a day out enjoying your vacation.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024
Even a severe shake was smoothed out and the overall feel of the video was calmer than the original.
—PCMAG, 16 May 2024
Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 12 June 2024
Being smart about when to depart and return can make a huge difference in terms of traffic—and smoothing out other logistics.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2024
In testing, smoothing out a 1:33 (min:sec) clip from a moving tram took 2:38, but all but the biggest shakes were pleasingly smoothed out.
—PCMAG, 1 May 2024
Her strategy is to smooth out all the contradictions and breaks in Russian history by arguing that everything went well when the Russian state was strong.
—Iver B. Neumann, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2017
Provided you're not deemed a security threat, you'll be given a redress number to add to your airline bookings, which will help smooth out your airport security experience in the future.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2024
Brush the decoupage medium onto the back of a paper strip and apply it to an egg, smoothing out the excess glue and air bubbles, and repeat until the egg is covered.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2024
Not everyone wants to travel with a portable steamer or trust notoriously finicky hotel irons to smooth out their clothing, so investing in wrinkle-free materials from the jump is a great way to cut down the obstacles between you and a day out enjoying your vacation.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024
Even a severe shake was smoothed out and the overall feel of the video was calmer than the original.
—PCMAG, 16 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smooth out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near smooth out
Cite this Entry
“Smooth out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smooth%20out. Accessed 18 Jun. 2024.
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