paper over

verb

Definition of paper overnext
1
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance the differences between the two factions are too great to be papered over in the name of party unity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view the company tried to paper over its red ink, issuing assurances that it was still financially sound

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 paper over The emotional high of victory papered over the cracks, though. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026 The contradictions of their closeness aren’t papered over; the unease is allowed to linger, inflamed and ineradicable. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026 Clean sheets against an Australian team that barely attacked and a Bosnia and Herzegovina team that lacked punch going forward papered over huge problems in the defensive line. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Arcane provisions that allow companies to paper over their net incomes. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for paper over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paper over
  1. ignore
  2. conceal
  3. forgive
  4. hide
  5. overlook
  6. obscure
  7. explain
  8. cover
Verb
  • But that didn’t stop him from taping interviews on Wednesday with various Chicago television newscasts from his downtown Chicago state office while ignoring follow-up requests from the Tribune.
    — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Where Raphael’s infant Christ is plump, acquiescent, docile, Cassatt’s children squirm, resist, and ignore authority.
    — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Rigney and Gere play this back-and-forth perfectly, the instantly emerging tension between them barely concealed behind tight smiles.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Even in the bathrooms, the toilet and bidet are concealed inside a kind of Travertine bench and the showerhead pokes out from a monolithic stone slab.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • Alex ultimately found a way to forgive her and took her back, but Jackie’s heart clearly couldn’t move on from Cole.
    — Kat Pettibone, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
  • That tendency was easier to forgive in the first season because the series had a sturdy dramatic premise.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • But the takeaway shouldn’t be fear that the US government is hiding the ball.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Pickens County deputies are searching for a suspect caught on camera trying to use branches to hide their identity.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • This 58-room resort overlooking the Adriatic is actually two distinct properties joined by a narrow isthmus.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Visitors can also anticipate a new section devoted to the history of the Uffizi collection, plus a new reception area to the museum’s Magliabechiana Hall overlooking the Piazza del Grano, to name just a few changes ahead.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • The government label can obscure the fact that state loans function much more like private credit products.
    — Annie Nova, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026
  • And amid all the noise, something important will be obscured.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscure
Verb
  • Rasa is also using AI to draft the statements that get sent to court, explaining to the judge why the expungement should be approved.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Malloy crisscrossed the state during his first few months in office, holding 17 town meetings to explain the fiscal ticking time bomb represented by unfunded pension obligations.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Over the years, she's been given a moon rock and received a piece of gold foil that covered the Apollo 11 capsule — a gift from one of the Navy frogmen who helped recover the command module and its crew.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The program covers up to 80% of the costs to rent and provides $10,000 grants to cover the costs of things like permit fees and insurance expenses.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of cover

Browse Nearby Words

paper money
paper over
papers
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Cite this Entry

“Paper over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paper%20over. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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