PAPERED OVER Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

papered over

verb

past tense of paper over

as in ignored

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

as in concealed

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 papered over Several turnovers forced by the Ducks' defense papered over what was a dominant performance by the Cowboys. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Although the history of British colonialism is every bit as violent as the history of slavery, it’s just been papered over with Queen Victoria and niceties. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 July 2026 The maintenance burden gets papered over until the next refactor exposes it. — Asad Khan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 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 The deficits were papered over with a series of short-term fixes, including loans and accounting gimmicks. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 Her transgression is one of the worst things imaginable; in a way, what Emma is hiding stems from a societal ill that gets papered over every day. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for papered over

Verb

All three projects—the ballroom, the arch, and the Kennedy Center—may soon be moving forward simultaneously, red tape cleared (or ignored).

— Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
What mattered was that the project ignored the fact that a ship is nothing but the tip of a very long logistical, regulatory, and infrastructure spear.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of ignored

Verb

To avoid another situation like this, ESPN should stop assuming our intentions are poor and do a better job keeping sensitive information concealed.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
The movement’s tiny footprint became a catalyst for experimentation, giving Blancpain’s designers unusual freedom, resulting in Ladybird watches concealed within bracelets, cuffs, rings, and pendants.

— Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of concealed

Verb

Based on the script by Hearon and co-writer Ruby Caster, the film is a welcome return for a director whose warm, understated work has often been overlooked.

— Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
For professionals who have historically been overlooked, learning to advocate for yourself can be especially important.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of overlooked

Verb

Now, in a new interview with GQ Hong Kong, Tesfaye has clarified those comments and explained his strike-that-reverse-it stance.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
Lynn explained that her daughter, who is a disabled veteran, earns roughly $70,000 a year between her VA disability compensation and her Social Security Disability Insurance.

— Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of explained

Verb

Politics is covered, check; psychology, check — often, as in this Cherry Orchard, leaving little to the imagination.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Thirty minutes later, after a physician examined him, he was pronounced dead and covered with a white sheet.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of covered

Verb

In the early stage of the trip, the twin-engine jets headed for Alaska and passed over Greenland, where an Airbus A400M support plane capable of landing on ice was stationed.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
Both pass catchers were seen on the field and were expected to be significant contributors after productive campaigns last year, but they were passed over in favor of sophomore Shane Rosenthal.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of passed over

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paperbounds

papered over

papering over

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“Papered over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papered%20over. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of papered over

verb

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