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

From this perspective, the familiar elements of the Nativity—the stable, the shepherds, the Magi—were not meant to paper over the embarrassment at Jesus’ illegitimacy. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025

The Bronx public administrator turned the papers over to the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and the National Library of Israel. —Joseph Berger, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025

The issue papered over divisive disagreements among conservatives over social and cultural issues. —Aaron Coy Moulton / Made By History, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025

In court papers over the weekend, lawyers for the Justice Department also blamed his move to Louisiana on overcrowded facilities in the Northeast. —CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for paper over

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover