Synonyms of papered over

papered over

verb

past tense of paper over

1

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

• ignored
• overlooked
• explained
• passed over
• justified
• pardoned
• blinked (at)
• winked (at)
• brushed (aside or off)
• glossed (over)
• excused
• disregarded
• shrugged off
• discounted
• condoned
• forgave and forgot
• forgave
• remitted
• glozed (over)
• whitewashed
• overpassed
• closed one's eyes to
• rationalized
• exonerated
• vindicated
• acquitted
• waived
• absolved
• exculpated
• waved (aside or off)
• cleared

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• objected (to)
• noted
• marked
• heeded
• minded

2

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

• concealed
• hid
• obscured
• covered
• suppressed
• blotted out
• disguised
• masked
• covered (up)
• veiled
• cloaked
• shrouded
• blanketed
• screened
• enshrouded
• curtained
• overshadowed
• blocked
• buried
• belied
• occulted
• glossed (over)
• camouflaged
• smothered
• shaded
• varnished
• gilded
• eclipsed
• whitewashed
• darkened
• obstructed
• occluded
• overcast
• clouded
• beclouded
• bedimmed
• befogged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• revealed
• displayed
• exposed
• showed
• disclosed
• presented
• brought out
• uncovered
• unveiled
• divulged
• bared
• published
• unmasked
• got out
• clarified
• uncloaked
• illuminated
• proclaimed
• advertised
• broadcast
• spread
• publicized
• aired

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of papered over

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

The structural failures that are the true roots of the region's turmoil—not Tehran—will go unaddressed, papered over by the noise and urgency of the conflict. — Frederic Wehrey, Time, 24 Mar. 2026