paper over
verb
papered over; papering over; papers over
1
: to gloss over, explain away, or patch up (differences, disparities, etc.) especially in order to maintain a semblance of unity or agreement
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
Working without Hollywood’s franchise infrastructure or Marvel-scale production budgets, Korean artists couldn’t paper over a weak story with expensive spectacle.
—
Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
Buried inside this success story is a growing fiscal problem that policymakers have quietly papered over for more than a decade.
—Louis Sigaud, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Betty, attempting to paper over her unthinkable loss, dresses Laura in her daughter’s clothes, gives her her daughter’s place at family meals, has her daughter’s bike fixed to Laura’s height.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
This became especially apparent during the pandemic, when many artists in the city — including himself — began to paper over the cracks and were perceived as living as usual.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paper over
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Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
Buried inside this success story is a growing fiscal problem that policymakers have quietly papered over for more than a decade.
—Louis Sigaud, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Betty, attempting to paper over her unthinkable loss, dresses Laura in her daughter’s clothes, gives her her daughter’s place at family meals, has her daughter’s bike fixed to Laura’s height.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
This became especially apparent during the pandemic, when many artists in the city — including himself — began to paper over the cracks and were perceived as living as usual.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paper over
Cite this Entry
“Paper over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper%20over. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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