paper over

verb

papered over; papering over; papers over

transitive verb

1

: to gloss over, explain away, or patch up (differences, disparities, etc.) especially in order to maintain a semblance of unity or agreement

2

: hide, conceal

Synonyms

• blink (at)
• brush (aside or off)
• condone
• discount
• disregard
• excuse
• forgive
• gloss (over)
• gloze (over)
• ignore
• overlook
• overpass
• pardon
• pass over
• remit
• shrug off
• whitewash
• wink (at)

Examples of paper over in a Sentence

the differences between the two factions are too great to be papered over in the name of party unity

the company tried to paper over its red ink, issuing assurances that it was still financially sound

Recent Examples on the Web

Native American histories are not being lost or papered over, but the location as well as the style of their presentation is shifting to a more human, forward-looking one. —Kathleen Duval, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024

The latest government attempt to paper over the problem, in place since 2018, expires at the end of March. —Mick Krever, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024

Trump has also made some notable errors recently — including by mixing up Nikki Haley and Nancy Pelosi — but his speaking style tends to help paper over his mistakes, Stromer-Galley said. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2024

Flip the paper over, and use a pin or thumbtack to poke a small hole in the foil. —Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 27 Mar. 2024

Successive governments papered over underlying structural problems by enacting generous social and industrial policies financed by excessive borrowing. —Barry Eichengreen, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

That uplifting message — coupled with dozens of operations moving people out of encampments — has allowed Bass to paper over some of the real policy differences that separate the politicians working with her on the crisis. —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024

The longer-term projections indicate that Newsom’s approach – papering over the current shortfall with actions that could worsen future problems – is very shortsighted, and Petek’s advice to legislators about focusing on the future is quite prudent. —Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024

Luis Enrique is the latest PSG coach to be confronted with a problem with composure that resurfaces every season, especially when star striker Kylian Mbappé fails to paper over the cracks with his scoring. —Jerome Pugmire, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1