as in facilitating
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in accelerating
to free from obstruction or difficulty
a willingness to compromise will smooth the way to an early agreement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flattening
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps
the workers smoothed the surface of the concrete before letting it dry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
used fine sandpaper to smooth the face of the wood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smoothing
Eugene Litvak, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
The end result is a lotion that hydrates while also preventing breakouts and smoothing rough texture over time.
—Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
Plus, its skin-smoothing finish makes for great prep underneath your foundation.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
The luxurious Insolent Youth Serum works by deeply hydrating, smoothing fine lines, boosting skin regeneration and fighting signs of aging.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Additionally, the screen uses auto-smoothing flex glass, which is resistant to deformation and better able to recover its original shape.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
They’re made with the brand’s signature 360-degree smoothing panel design and gentle compression for comfy, easy-to-wear bottoms.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 13 Mar. 2026
The Levi's 318 Shaping Wide-leg Jeans feature a smoothing panel that streamlines the fit through the waist, balanced by a wide-leg silhouette.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
In the clubhouse, smoothing the path for Shohei Ohtani.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
Hospitals that implemented smoothing elective admissions have reported millions of dollars in additional annual revenue.
—Eugene Litvak, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
The end result is a lotion that hydrates while also preventing breakouts and smoothing rough texture over time.
—Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
Plus, its skin-smoothing finish makes for great prep underneath your foundation.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
The luxurious Insolent Youth Serum works by deeply hydrating, smoothing fine lines, boosting skin regeneration and fighting signs of aging.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Additionally, the screen uses auto-smoothing flex glass, which is resistant to deformation and better able to recover its original shape.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
They’re made with the brand’s signature 360-degree smoothing panel design and gentle compression for comfy, easy-to-wear bottoms.
—Melony Forcier, InStyle, 13 Mar. 2026
The Levi's 318 Shaping Wide-leg Jeans feature a smoothing panel that streamlines the fit through the waist, balanced by a wide-leg silhouette.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
In the clubhouse, smoothing the path for Shohei Ohtani.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoothing
Verb
-
Aguirre asked several pointed questions about the process, including the financial cost of staff time to handle work such as screening people and facilitating ICE transfers.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Baker, who's advised on several statue restorations and owns most of the collection housed at the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, connected with Ralph's about facilitating a repair.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That pacing felt right for top-down and lowers the barrier to entry without flattening the experience.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
-
What’s most gratifying is the extent to which the filmmakers sought practical solutions and physical sets rather than relying solely on the digital toolbox or flattening the action with endless green-screen sequences.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Remove all oil residue from the nail beds before polishing.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Harsh Chemicals and Abrasive Cleaners Avoid using harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners when cleaning and polishing wood flooring.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For three men in three different places, shaving their heads did not erase years of anxiety but changed the narrative.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That's because these plug-in or balcony solar panels start shaving off part of a homeowner's or renter's utility bill right away.—
Jeff Brady,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The slightly higher cut helps prevent sneakers from rubbing your ankle or the top of your foot.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2026
-
So, the timing for Mortensen to be making his second show debut right as his ex’s is being pulled off the air is rubbing fans the wrong way.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Officials will spend months trimming, adding to and massaging the financial books to address residents’ priorities.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In 2018, seventeen-year-old landscaper Alex Childress was rushed to the hospital with third-degree burns on his face after unknowingly trimming giant hogweed.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The wood jambs supporting your front and back entryways can quickly get coated with pollen during springtime, and mowing and raking the lawn kicks up dust and dirt that settles along the frame.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Matt McLain added muscle, is now raking On the one hand, McLain adding a dozen pounds of muscle in the offseason seems like an unambiguously positive development.—
Andy Behrens,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The under-$10 serum is formulated with 2 percent multimolecular hyaluronic acid and Matrixyl 3000 peptide, a combination of ingredients that quenches the skin while smoothening wrinkles and firming crepey areas.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smoothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoothing. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
