paper over

1 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 blink (at), brush (aside or off), condone, discount, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, excuse, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, whitewash, wink (at)Related Words explain, justify, rationalize; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate; waive, wave (aside or off)Near Antonyms heed, mark, mind, note, object (to)

2 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 belie, blanket, blot out, cloak, conceal, cover, curtain, disguise, enshroud, mask, obscure, occult, hide, screen, shroud, suppress, veilRelated Words bury, camouflage, cover (up), smother; gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash; becloud, bedim, befog, block, cloud, darken, eclipse, obstruct, occlude, overcast, overshadow, shadeNear Antonyms bring out, present; clarify, illuminate; advertise, air, broadcast, get out, proclaim, publicize, publish, spreadAntonyms bare, disclose, display, divulge, expose, reveal, show, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil