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

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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 Arcane provisions that allow companies to paper over their net incomes. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 The saga — full of botched timelines, unverified vandalism claims and now toxicity concerns — has become an unlikely metaphor for the administration’s broader instinct to paper over problems rather than fix them. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 July 2026 With ballots set to be printed this week, the issue was appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court on an expedited basis, with both sides filing court papers over the weekend. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Given that the conflict between Rudd and Marcus becomes sweaty as hell to begin with (Rudd grows paranoid that Marcus will steal his spotlight), Spicer’s film would have been well-served to paper over it in favor of a few extra gags. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 25 June 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
  • The suspect allegedly attempted to flee again by jumping fences and ignoring the officers’ commands to stop, but was apprehended and placed in custody.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026
  • But aside from dispatching shotgun-toting police agents to keep an eye on them, Venezuelan authorities mostly ignored the protesters.
    — John Otis, NPR, 16 July 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Missiles and launch vehicles can remain concealed until they are needed, limiting the time during which they are exposed to satellites, aircraft, and drones.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
  • Even its bridal jewelry retains an element of discretion, including a small gold heart concealed inside certain bands and positioned close to the wearer.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 14 July 2026
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • From the side, you could be forgiven for mistaking it for a hill; a thick carpet of grass grows up the walls and over the roof.
    — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 2026
  • The final few episodes’ excessive melodrama is easily forgiven when what’s good here — above-average fights, solid jokes, and a game cast — isn’t so easy to forget.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • By the final week of training, Kerr’s confidence had become impossible to hide.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Archer says Joby is hiding its dependence on money and parts from China, while Joby alleges Archer stole its technology through corporate espionage.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • Those uninterested in the South of France or the northeastern tip of Spain could enjoy the Mediterranean climate on Gothic-style rooftop terraces overlooking the lush Turkish forest.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026
  • Put every kind of genius to work, especially the kind your rivals overlook.
    — André Martin, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Gros Morne National Park combines relatively dark skies with the deepest eclipse in eastern North America, with nearly half of the sun obscured at maximum.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2026
  • Severely nearsighted, Isul wore eyeglasses with thick plastic lenses, which obscured her lovely, small eyes.
    — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of obscure
Verb
  • But Antonelli’s ease with the new cars and Russell’s discomfort with having to adopt a radically new driving style can’t explain the half-second gap between the pair in qualifying.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026
  • When pressed repeatedly by a Fox News cohost for specifics on the operation, Homan explained that disclosing that type of information could risk officer safety and prompt criminals to flee.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • This investigation is based on activity between March and Sunday, July 12, your response only needs to cover this timeframe.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Later, there were dirt roads and wells and a veneer of soot covering even the nicest dwellings.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 July 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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