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
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Recent Examples of paper over
The same dynamic can paper over the changes being brought about by artificial intelligence.
—
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
Its food business, which includes Lay’s chips, Quaker, and Rice-A-Roni, is no longer strong enough to paper over its beverage weakness; Elliott suggests some pruning.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2025
How many old game-management cracks were papered over a year ago by Shedeur, the best passer in school history, and Travis Hunter, the Buffs’ best-ever athlete?
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Billions in federal pandemic aid temporarily papered over structural deficits at Chicago Public Schools and in city government.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paper over
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
Its food business, which includes Lay’s chips, Quaker, and Rice-A-Roni, is no longer strong enough to paper over its beverage weakness; Elliott suggests some pruning.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2025
How many old game-management cracks were papered over a year ago by Shedeur, the best passer in school history, and Travis Hunter, the Buffs’ best-ever athlete?
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Billions in federal pandemic aid temporarily papered over structural deficits at Chicago Public Schools and in city government.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paper over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paper over
Verb
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The same is true of Guiteau’s eventual imprisonment and trial, which aren’t ignored but barely touch on the wackiness that actually ensued.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
There were extremely rich philosophical traditions in the non-Western world that your great books classes completely ignore.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Christina Leona Cowens, 41, was initially arrested last week on suspicion of felony grand theft, along with misdemeanor counts of unlawful disposal of human remains and attempting to conceal a death.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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People get in the bathtub, think something, bathe themselves and then stand up from the bathwater, all of this is rather ordinary, but even the most ordinary thing in this world can conceal considerable danger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Even amid a government shutdown, so much is happening in Washington, at such a rapid clip and such a high pitch, that a browser of The New York Times’ homepage could be forgiven for giving up and clicking straight through to Spelling Bee.—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
9 Nov. 2025
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You'd be forgiven for being a little sick of A Christmas Story, Bob Clark's beloved tale about 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and the Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle he so fiercely desires.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But most of the time, hiding stuff from them doesn't work.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
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Oscar’s grouchy shell hides a strangely tender soul, which is classic Scorpio.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While maintaining a healthy weight plays a role in mitigating cardiovascular and diabetes risk, the measurement alone overlooks the importance of muscle as a predictor of healthy aging and longevity.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
10 Nov. 2025
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The iconic 12th century Ajloun Castle overlooks rolling hills and olive groves, with dramatic panoramas and drone-friendly views.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While Beijing uses code names to obscure some of their military projects, CNN’s research revealed – and then pinpointed – the sites.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Shiri’s face was obscured by an image originally created by Vancouver street artist iHeart.—
Gabriele Regalbuto,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Since proper vesicle recycling is crucial for brain communication, this mechanism could explain why patients experience diverse symptoms – from movement problems to memory loss – depending on which brain regions are affected first.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Nov. 2025
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Speaking on The Allison Hagendorf Show, Perry, the lead singer, explained just how the stars aligned for 4 Non Blondes to take the stage together once again.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The $155,000 figure was within a range covered by insurance, and FBI investigators found that no individual donor funds were diverted before they were deposited into the Bright Futures Fund, Johnston wrote.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paper over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paper%20over. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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